PNO-IV-98-013, on 980325,LA Radiation Control Program Notified NRC of Incident Involving Radiographic Exposure Device Used on Offshore Platform.Nrc Region IV & Representative of La Discussed Proposed Retrieval Attempts
| ML20217G491 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/26/1998 |
| From: | Hackney C, Linda Howell NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-IV-98-013, PNO-IV-98-13, NUDOCS 9804020366 | |
| Download: ML20217G491 (1) | |
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March 26,1998 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-IV-98-013 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBU ;afety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically
> all that is known by Region IV staff in Arlington, Texas on this date.
Facility Licensee Emeraency Classification Owensby And Kritikos Notification of Unusual Event Owensby And Kritikos Alert Gretna, Louisiana Site Area Emergency License No: LA2234-LO1 General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
RADIOGRAPHY INCIDENT On March 25,1998, the Louisiana Radiation Control Program notified NRC of an incident involving a radiographic exposure device used on an offshore platform. A licensee of the state of Louisiana, Owensby and Kritikos, Inc., reported that while performing radiography on an offshore platform, a SPEC Model 150 exposure device (Serial No. 283) loaded with an 82 curie iridium-192 source fell overboard into the water. The licensee was working on a platform located off Eugene Island (approximately 70 miles off the coast of Louisiana) where i the water depth is approximately 89 feet.
l The licensee reported that at the conclusion of a radiograph, the radiographer attempted to move the exposure device to another location on the platform, with the source guide tube and control cable assembly still attached, when the handle broke and the device fell over i the side of the platform The source was in the retracted position, although the locking mechanism was not engaged (the automatic safety latch was engaged).
l-NRC Region IV staff and representatives of Louisiana have discussed proposed retrieval attempts with licensee representatives. The licensee is evaluating use of a diving crew to retrieve the device and has committed to provide Region IV and the state with a written plan of the proposed retrieval activities for review prior to implementing retrieval efforts.
The state of Louisiana and NMSS have been informed.
Region IV received notification of this occurrence by telephone notification from the state of Louisiana.
l l This information has been discussed with the licensee and is current as of 11:00 a.m. CST.,
March 26,1998.
Contact:
Charles Hackney Linda Howell (817)860-8267 (817)860-8213 ggg.$
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