Semantic search
| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 56578 | 15 June 2023 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Stuck Shutters | The following information was provided by the Texas Department of Health Services (the Agency) via email: On June 15, 2023, the Agency was notified by the licensee that during routine shutter checks, the shutters on two Berthold model LB7442 nuclear gauges were stuck in the open position. The gauges both contain a 20 millicurie (original activity) cesium - 137 source. Open is the normal operating position of the gauges. There is no risk of additional radiation exposure to members of the general public or radiation workers due to this failure. The investigation into this event is ongoing. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300. TX incident number: I-10026 | ||
| ENS 54443 | 13 December 2019 05:00:00 | 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(i) | Lost Tritium Exit Signs | The following is a synopsis of a telephonic report: An electrical contractor did not follow disposal instructions and disposed of eight (8) tritium exit signs (approximately 9.5 Ci each) in a dumpster on 12/2/19. The dumpster was removed on 12/4/19. The licensee discovered the error on 12/13/19 when they could locate two of the ten signs planned for removal. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 52965 | 11 September 2017 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Three Gauges with Stuck Shutters | The following information was received from the State of Texas via email: On September 12, 2017, the Agency (Texas Department of State Health Services) was notified by the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) that during routine inspections, three Berthold nuclear gauges were found with shutters stuck in the open position. Two of the gauges were model LB7442D each containing a 30 millicurie (original activity) cesium-137 source and one was a model LB300L containing a 44.7 millicurie (original activity) cobalt-60 source. The shutter on the model LB300L gauge was stuck in the open position. The lock on the shutter on one of the model LB7442D gauge could not be removed. The locking latch on the other model LB7442D gauge would not operate. The RSO stated a service company has been contacted to repair the gauges and is expected to be on site by September 15, 2017. No individual will receive significant exposure to radiation due to this event. Texas Report: I-9509 | ||
| ENS 51519 | 4 November 2015 20:30:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Hairline Crack Found in Housing of a Berthold Level Density Gauge | The following report was received from the State of Louisiana via email: On 11/04/2015, the ARSO (Assistant Radiation Safety Officer) for (the licensee) called the LA DEQ (Louisiana Department of Environment Quality) about a hairline crack on the housing of a Berthold level density gauge. The crack was noticed when the annual operational inspections were being performed. The level gauges are required to be inspected by Condition Number 6 of the licensee's radioactive material license. The (gauge is located) in Geismar, LA within the secure boundary the licensee's chemical plant. The fixed gauge is installed on a hopper/drum, but the gauge has not been used as a qc/qa (quality control/quality assurance) device since March 21, 2003, when the device was locked-out. The crack or hairline crack was not detected or documented before the November 2015 annual inspections. The notification to LA DEQ is required by Condition Number 6 of the license. The gauge remained installed on the hopper since 2003, but was not functioning as a gauge during that time. LA DEQ was notified on November 4, 2015, at approximately 1430 CST, that during (the licensee's) annual operational inspections, they detected a hairline crack in the housing of an installed locked-out density measuring device (gauge). The device was a Berthold gauge Model LB 7440D loaded with approximately 60 mCi of Cs-137. On 11/04/2015, the licensee's ARSO called LA DEQ to make a preliminary report about a hairline crack found in a gauge housing/source holder. The crack was at the union of the gauge shielding and the mounting plate of the device. (A contract company) has been contacted to provide services at (the licensee' facility), for packaging the source to be shipped and for the source disposal. This will be the 'corrective action' and it was speculated the crack possibly happened due to the vibration of the hopper. The source or device is not leaking. The source is not exposed or removed from the shielded position. This appears to be reportable under 10 CFR 31.5(c)(5). The source was not being used/operational when the crack was detected. There is no possible exposure to the plant workers because the gauge is still installed on an elevated process. Surveys were taken of the source/gauge housing and they were in the same range as before noticing the crack. The exposure level is approximately 150 mR/hr. The gauge has been locked-out since March 20, 2003. The shutter remains closed and the gauge does not cause a safety hazard to the plant personnel. The gauge operated in the open direction without a problem. (The ARSO) called and reported the incident to comply with Condition Number 6 of (licensee's) Radioactive Material License. The gauge is a Berthold, model #LB-7440D (originally) loaded with approximately 100 mCi of Cs-137 and received and installed in 1992. The SN for the source is 3029-9-90. The corrective action will be disposal by (the contractor). The Department (LA DEQ) considers this item OPEN until the disposal. The records will be reviewed during a site visit and the next inspection. Louisiana Event Report ID No.: LA 15-0020, T167164 | ||
| ENS 51468 | 13 October 2015 18:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State - Stuck Open Shutter on Vessel Level Gauge | The following report was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services via email: On October 13, 2015, the licensee (BASF Corporation) reported to the Agency (Texas Department of State Health Services) that during routine gauge inspection and shutter checks, its (BASF Corporation) staff found the shutter on one of its Ronan SA-1 gauges, containing a 10 milliCurie cesium-137 source, was stuck in the open position. The gauge normally operates with the gauge in the open position and due to its location on the side of a vessel there is no risk of exposure. The licensee has contacted the manufacturer to schedule repairs. An investigation into this event is ongoing. Further information will be provided as it is obtained in accordance with SA-300. Gauge/source Information: Gauge: Ronan model SA-1 -- (no unique serial number for the source holder) Source: 10 mCi cesium-137 -- SN: 6727GK Texas Incident Number: I-9347 | ||
| ENS 51125 | 3 June 2015 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Failure of Shutters on Four Fixed Nuclear Gauges to Close | The following information was received via E-mail: On June 4, 2015, the licensee notified the Agency (Texas Department of State Health Services) that on June 3, 2015, it was performing routine shutter checks on fixed nuclear gauges at its facility and found the shutters on four of the gauges would not close. All four gauges were Ronan Model SA-1 containing cesium-137 sources (20, 40, 50, and 200 millicuries). The licensee lubricated the shutter mechanisms on all four gauges and let them sit overnight. Two of the gauges closed the next morning (June 4th) with no problem. The other two shutters still would not close. The licensee contacted an outside service group and it recommended using a different lubricant. The licensee followed the suggestion and both became operable that afternoon. These gauges normally operate with the shutter in the open position. There were no radiation exposures or increased risk of exposure as a result of this event. An investigation into this event is ongoing. More information will be provided as it is obtained in accordance with SA-300. Texas Incident Number: I-9318 | ||
| ENS 48631 | 27 November 2012 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Stuck Shutter on Process Gauge | The following information was received from the Louisiana Department of Environment Quality via facsimile: On 11/27/2012, the RSO for BASF called in a preliminary report about a shutter on a fixed level gauge utilized in their processes in the chemical plant. There is no possible exposure to the plant workers because the gauge (is) installed on a remote process (tank inaccessible by plant personnel) and, (consequently), the shutter remaining open and operating (should not be) a problem. . . . The gauge is a Berthold, model #LB-7440D loaded with 150 mCi of Cs-137. (A manufacturer service technician) has been contacted to repair the level gauge. The manufacturer's service tech stated that (the stuck shutter) appears (to be the result of exposure to) the elements. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality considers this item closed and the records will be reviewed during the next inspection. Louisianan Incident Number: T145017 | ||
| ENS 47966 | 26 April 2012 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Level/Density Gauge Shutter Malfunction | The following information was obtained from the State of Louisiana via fax: On April 26, 2012, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) received notification that a shutter malfunctioned on an Ohmart Corporation Level/Density gauge at BASF Corporation. BASF Corporation has a RAM License LA-2304-L01 and Agency Interest Number 2049. The gauge was a Model SH-F1, containing a Cs-137 sealed source, serial number 6274GK with 50 mCi of activity. Ohmart sent out a field engineer to repair the following devices: 1) Ohmart Model SH-F1 level/density gauge, serial number 67471 to replace shutter and rotor; 2) Ohmart Model SH-F1 level/density gauge, serial number 6292GK to lubricate and restore proper shutter function; 3) Ohmart Model SH-F1 level/density gauge, serial number 6247GK, source holder remains stuck in the open position and the gauge is scheduled to be replaced and disposed of at a licensed facility. This incident is reference by LDEQ T139229. LA Report ID No.: LA120001 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 47298 | 26 September 2011 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Stuck Shutter on Fixed Process Gauge | The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services via e-mail: On September 26, 2011, the licensee reported that while preparing to enter a vessel, the shutter on a Ronan model SA-1 nuclear gauge containing 2000 millicuries of Cesium (Cs) -137 failed to shut and is stuck in the normally open position. The source serial number is 2943GK. No significant exposure has occurred due to this event. The gauge is located at a height of 150 feet on the tank. The licensee contacted a technical representative and expects to repair or replace the gauge at the end of the week. The cause for the event is under investigation. Additional information will be provided as it is received IAW SA 300.
The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services via e-mail: The manufacturer inspected the gauge at the licensee's location and determined that the gauge was functioning properly. They also determined that the radiation measurements taken by the licensee to determine if the shutter was closed where taken at a distance that was closer than the reference reading causing the elevated readings. There was no reportable event. Notified the R4DO (Blair Spitzberg) and FSME (Angela McIntosh) Texas Incident #: I-8887 |