PNO-IV-98-033, on 980721,notified NRC of Incident Involving Exposure of Contractor Personnel.Contractors Apparently Removed Gauge from Mounting & Placed It on Plant Floor. RSO Estimated Doses to Contractors as 116 Mrems as Follows
| ML20236S025 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 03012249 |
| Issue date: | 07/22/1998 |
| From: | Collins E, Cruz J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-IV-98-033, PNO-IV-98-33, NUDOCS 9807240088 | |
| Download: ML20236S025 (1) | |
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July 22,1998 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-IV-98-033 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 ail that is known by Region IV staff in Arlington, Texas on this date.
Facility Licensee Emernency Classification Weyerhaeuser Campany Notification of Unusual Event P.O. Box 890 Alert Valliant, Oklahoma 74764 Site Area Emergency Dockets: 03012249 License No: 35-14074-02 General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
NOTIFICATION OF INCIDENT INVOLVING EXPOSURE OF CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL On July 22,1998, the radiation safety officer (RSO) for the licensee telephonically notified the NRC of an incident that occurred at the licensee's facility on July 21,1998. The RSO reported that contractors working in the plant dismounted a Kay Ray Model 7062B fixed gauge because it was interfering with evork they were performing. The gauge contained a nominal 100 mci Cs-137 source. They noted a radiation tag on the gauge but thought that it referred to the contents of the tank on which the gauge was mounted. The contractors apparently removed the gauge from its mounting at about 4 p.m. and placed it on the plant floor. The shutter was known to be open. The contractors shift ended at 4:20 p.m. and {
they vacated the plant at that time. Another plant worker later noticed the gauge on the '
floor and called the RSO who arrived at the plant at 8:15 p.m. He surveyed the gauge and noted that the shutter was closed.
The RSO estimated the dose (s) to the contractor (s) as 116 mrems as follows. The RSO assumed that the shutter was open no more than 20 minutes, from 4 until 4:20 p.m., and that the shutter was closed during the dismounting process or when it was placed on the floor. The RSO reported that the manufacturer's literature estimates the exposure rate at 12" from the source to be 350 mR/h. The dose was estimated by dividing 350 by 3 to account for a 20-minute exposure at 12".
NMSS and OSP have been informed. NRC RIV plans to dispatch an inspector to the site on July 23,1998.
The state of Oklahoma has been informed. This information has been discussed with the licensee and is current as of July 22,1998,2 p.m.
Contact:
Elmo Collins (817)860-8291 Jeffrey Cruz (817)B60-8164 I
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