PNO-I-85-056, on 850808,technician Experienced Radiation Exposure by Entering Traversing in-core Probe (TIP) Room. Technician Received 1.29 Rem Dose.Caused by TIP Probe Attaching Cable That Was Recently Stuck in-core

PNO-I-85-056:on 850808,technician Experienced Radiation Exposure by Entering Traversing in-core Probe (TIP) Room. Technician Received 1.29 Rem Dose.Caused by TIP Probe Attaching Cable That Was Recently Stuck in-core

ML20134A011
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee
Issue date:	08/09/1985
From:	Asars A, Mccabe E NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:
References
PNO-I-85-056, PNO-I-85-56, NUDOCS 8508150145
Download: ML20134A011 (2)

{  %

DCS No: 50271/850809 Date: 8/9/85 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE--PNO-I-85-56

.This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without vartfication or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by the Region I staff on this date.

Facility: Licensee Emergency Classification:

Notification of Unusual Event Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. Alert Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station Site Area Emergency Vernon, Vermont General Emergency Docket No. 50-271 X Not Applicable

Subject:

UNPLANNED RADIATION EXPOSURE

.At 6:30 p.m., 8/8, an HP technician experienced an unplanned exposure by entering the traversing incore probe (TIP) room when the system probes were thought to be secured in their designated housing shields. The general radiation level was measured to be about 300 Rem /hr with the highest reading being about 1,000 Rem /hr. Apparently the 1 radiation source was the attaching cable to the TIP probe (activated while stuck in-core and only withdrawn manually about 2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> before the technician entry). TLD reading later indicated the HP technician received a dose of 1.29 Rem; extremity exposures are

-uncertain since he was not wearing extremity dosimetry.

An auxiliary operator accompanying .the HP technician apparently did not actually enter the room and received a lower dose (pocket dosimeter reading was 270 mR).

Initial indications are that this unplanned exposure was apparently b'ecause of technician inexperience and training inadequacies. Region I is monitoring licensee -

followup actions. A BWR Radiological Protection Section Chief and a Senior Resident Inspector have been dispatched to the site. The licensee will not re-enter the TIP room until that evolution is thoroughly planned.

' Tha State of Vermont has been notified.

CONTACT: A. Asars E. McCabe 488-1327 488-1231 DISTRIBUTION:

H. St. MNBB Phillips E/W Willste Mail: ADM:DMB Chairman Palladino ED0 NRR IE NMSS DOT:Trans only

-Comm. Zech PA OIA RES Comm. Bernthal ELD AE00 Comm. Roberts

-Comm. Asselstine

'ACRS Air Rights INPO- g g SECY SP NSACE--

CA PDR Regional Offices TMI Resident Section M *1 RI Resident Office J :04 Licensee:

(Reactor Licensees)

Region ~I Form 83 (Rev. July,1984) 8508150145 050809 PDR I&E gi PNO-I-85-056 PDR j ,)

~

DISTRIBUTION:

NRCOGCJLEADOP Please' deliver H St addressees)

Chairman Palladino-

'Comm. Zech-Ccmm. Bernthal

'Comm~. Roberts

Comm. Asselstine '

ACRS1

_ ~SECY -

CA-

-PDR NRCRM,EDO (Please make EDO internal distribution) i-NRCRM,PA0 (Please'make PA0 internal distribution)

NRCELD,Leadop (Please deliver to G. Cunnir.jham)

NRCWM,MaryR'(Please deliver to G. Beverage)

NRCIE,Leadop (To mail room for IE internal distribution)

NRCDL,Leadop'-(Please make NRR internal distribution)

NRCADMW,Leadop (Please deliver to A. Summerour, RES)

NRCIE,AE00 (Please deliver-copy to 0IA)

NRCRII,Leadog (Please make Internal RII distribution)

NRCRIII,Leadop (Please make Internal RIII' distribution)

NRCRIV,Leadop (Please make Internal RIV distribut!on)

NRCRV,Leadop (Please make Internal RV distribution)

OSPDW (Please deliver to' Wayne Kerr)

' Region I WPS.

Rssident-Office-(Site'PC) (If secretary is off FAX)

(You must call OSPDW and tell them it is on 5520 for pickup RIl0ffice Services Section L{ Mail to ADM:DM8 & DOT (transportation only)

JFAX to INP0 NSAC

.TMI~2. Program Office

- . . , , , , . ,