PNO-IV-88-020, on 880308,bag Containing Used anti-C Clothing Found to Contain Hot Particle in Shoulder Area of Garment. Mobile Particle Was Approx 725 Uci of Cobalt/Manganese Compound.Four Personnel Examined W/No Skin Irregularities

PNO-IV-88-020:on 880308,bag Containing Used anti-C Clothing Found to Contain Hot Particle in Shoulder Area of Garment. Mobile Particle Was Approx 725 Uci of Cobalt/Manganese Compound.Four Personnel Examined W/No Skin Irregularities

ML20148A998
Person / Time
Site:	Waterford
Issue date:	03/11/1988
From:	Murray B, Yandell L NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:
References
PNO-IV-88-020, PNO-IV-88-20, NUDOCS 8803210292
Download: ML20148A998 (2)

March 11, 1988 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE -- PNO-IV-88-20 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by the Region IV staff on this date.

FACILITY: Louisiana Power & Light Company Licensee Emergency Classification:

Waterford-3 Steam Electric Station Notification of Unusual Event Docket 50-382 Alert New Orleans, Louisiana Site Area Emergency General Emergency

_ X_ Not Applicable

SUBJECT:

HOT PARTICLE INCIDENT On March 8, 1988, during a routine survey of the contaminated machine shop, a bag containing used anti-C clothing was found to contain a hot particle in the shoulder area of one garment. During the performance of the survey, the particle was found to be mobile. The licensee has determined that the particle was approximately 725 microcuries of a Cobalt / Manganese compound.

The licensee has identified four personnel that could have worn this anti-C clothing. The personnel all wore chest and hand TLD's which have been processed and indicated less than 100 millirem exposure. The personnel were involved in deconning reactor vessel stud hole plugs inside a spray booth in the decon room.

They were dressed in full plastic outer garments and used forced air hoods during the job that lasted about 2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br />. The licensee is investigating the event, and is not ruling out the possibility that this particle was picked up on the anti-C clothing at the completion of the job when the workers were stripping off the plastic outer garments.

A preliminary calculation by the licensee indicates that if this particle had been in contact with the wearer's skin for the duration of the job, he would have received about 400 Rad local skin dose. All four personnel have been examined by a doctor and no skin irregularities were found. A mapping of skin blemishes was done and they are scheduled to visit the doctor again in one week.

A review by the SRI indicated that the licensee had adhered to the approved station radiological control procedures applicable to this work activity.

Neither the licensee .70r the NRC plans to issue a press release.

The state of Louisiana will be informed.

Region IV received notification of this occurrence by telecon from the SRI at 3 p.m. March 10, 1988. Region IV has informed T. Martin, ED0; D. Wigginton, NRR; J. Gilliland, PA, RIV.

This information has been confirmed current with a licensee representative as of 7:30 a.m. March 11, 1988.

CONTACT: Blaine Murray, FTS 728-8126 or L. A. Yandell, FTS 728-8108.

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