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| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 56917 | 9 January 2024 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State - Shutter Stuck in Open Position | The following information was provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Department) via email: On January 9, 2024, the Department was notified by the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) that during routine checks, the shutters on three Vega America SH-F2 source holder failed to close. Open is the normal operating position for the gauges. Each gauge contains a 200 millicurie cesium-137 source. The gauges do not create an exposure risk to any individual. The RSO stated they have contacted a service provider for repairs to the gauges. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA300. Texas Incident Number: I-10076 NMED Number: TX240001 | ||
| ENS 56621 | 12 July 2023 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Stuck Open Shutter | The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency) via email: On July 12, 2023, the Agency was notified by the licensee's service company that during routine shutter checks, the shutter on a Vega Americas model SH-F2 (gauge) could not be shut. The gauge contains a 200 millicurie (original activity) Cs-137 source. Open is the normal operating position for the shutter. The licensee has made plans to repair the gauge in the next seven days. The service company stated there is no risk of radiation exposure to members of the general public or radiation workers due to this event. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300. Texas Incident Number: 10036 | ||
| ENS 55701 | 10 January 2022 21:35:00 | Agreement State | Nuclear Gauge Holder Broken Handle | The following information was received via E-mail: On January 10, 2022, at 1535 CST, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) was notified by the Union Carbide Corporation Radiation Safety Officer, via phone, concerning a handle that had broken off an Ohmart Vega FH-F2-0 nuclear gauge holder (housing). The holder serial number is 20285009. The source serial number is 156OCO. The source activity is 500 mCi of Cs-137. The gauge is in the 'On' position in its present condition. This event occurred at the Union Carbide Corporation Taft Plant in Taft, Louisiana. Louisiana Event Report ID No.: LA 20220001 | ||
| ENS 50906 | 17 March 2015 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Ohmart Sh-F2 Gauge Shutter Handle Pin Sheared | The following report was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services via email: On March 19, 2015, the licensee notified the Agency (Texas Department of State Health Services) that on March 17, 2015, while preparing for a shutdown for maintenance, it closed the shutter on an Ohmart SH-F2 gauge, which contained a 200 milliCurie cesium-137 source, and the pin on the shutter handle sheared off. The licensee performed a survey to confirm the source was in the fully shielded position and placed a lock on the shutter. No individual received any exposure as a result of this event. The licensee contacted a service company and the gauge was repaired and returned to service on March 19, 2015. An investigation into this event is ongoing. More information will be provided as it is obtained in accordance with SA-300. Texas Incident #: I 9286 | ||
| ENS 50905 | 4 March 2015 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Ohmart Shlm-Cr3 Cable Detached from Source | The following report from the Texas Department of State Health Services was provided via email: On March 19, 2015, the licensee notified the Agency (Texas Department of State Health Services) that on March 4, 2015, while preparing for a shutdown for maintenance, it retracted a cesium-137 source back into its Ohmart SHLM-CR3 source holder when the cable came off of the source. The gauge contains a 2,400 milliCurie (original activity 04/1991) cesium-137 source. The licensee performed a survey to confirm the source was in the fully shielded position and placed a lock on the shutter. No individual received any exposure as a result of this event. The licensee is coordinating with the manufacturer to have the gauge repaired. An investigation into this event is ongoing. More information will be provided as it is obtained in accordance with SA-300. Texas Incident #: I 9285
The following was received by e-mail: The licensee initially reported the wrong event date. The licensee has advised the Agency (Texas Department of State Health Services) that the event actually occurred on March 2, 2015 (and not March 4, 2015 as previously reported). Notified the R4DO (Gaddy) and NMSS Events Notification (via e-mail). | ||
| ENS 50201 | 16 June 2014 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Stuck Shutters | The following was received from the State of Texas via email: On June 16, 2014, the Agency (State of Texas) was notified by the licensee's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) that while conducting routine maintenance checks, the shutter on two Ohmart-Vega Model SHD source holders containing 250 millicuries of cesium-137 failed to shut. A third SHD source holder shutter appeared to shut but there was no change in the radiation level as expected. The RSO has contacted a vendor to inspect and repair the gauges. The gauges are normally open. There were no exposures as a result of this event. More information will be provided as it is obtained in accordance with SA-300. Texas Incident: I-9204 | ||
| ENS 50035 | 11 April 2014 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Stuck Shutter | The following information was received from the State of Texas by email: On March 14, 2014, the Agency (Texas Department of State Health Services) received a call from the radiation safety officer (RSO) of a licensee. The RSO stated that during an instrument check on Friday, April 11, 2014, technicians found two line level indicators with stuck shutters. The open position is the normal operating position for these types of instruments. The technicians stated there was no apparent damage to the rod or the shutter mechanisms. The level indicators are located on the sides of a very tall product receiver bin containing polyethylene resin. There were no exposures and employees are not routinely around these sources. The instruments contained Cesium-137 at 5000 milliCuries each. The level indicators are tagged as inoperable and a service company has been contacted to inspect and repair the instruments. Further information will be entered in accordance with SA300.
The first line of the initial report contained the wrong report date. The first line should have read: On April 14, 2014, the Agency received a call from the radiation safety officer (RSO) of a licensee. Additional information: The gauges are Ohmart model SHLM-BR-4 gauges. The sources are in the out position, but the licensee's RSO stated there has not been any additional exposure to radiation to any individual due to this event. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA300. Notified the R4DO (Gaddy) and FSME Resources via email.
On April 15, 2014, the Agency was contacted by the licensee and informed they were able to retract the source and fully close the shutter placing the source in the fully shielded position. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300. Notified the R4DO (Gaddy) and FSME Resources via email. Texas Incident: I-9182 | ||
| ENS 46850 | 11 May 2011 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Shutter Stuck Open on Nuclear Gauge | The following information from the State was received by email: On May 12, 2011, the Agency (Texas Department of Health) was notified by the licensee that while performing a routine inspection of a Ohmart/Vega model SH-F2 nuclear gauge containing 200 milliCuries of Cesium (Cs) - 137 they found the shutter for the device stuck in the open position. The licensee believes the probable cause for the event is a buildup of debris in the operating mechanism of the gauge. The gauge is used for level detection on a vent stack in an area of the plant not routinely occupied. The licensee is lubricating and trying to cycle the shutter frequently. The licensee has contacted a service provider to assist them if needed. No exposure to any personnel has occurred due to this event. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300. Texas Incident No: I-8849
On May 16, 2011, the licensee reported that the repeated lubrication of the shutter was successful and that the shutter was now working as designed. The report also stated that the event was discovered on May 11, 2011, not May 12, 2011, as first reported. Notified R4DO (Shannon) and FSME (McIntosh). | ||
| ENS 46810 | 1 May 2011 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Stuck Shutter on Ohmart/Vega Model Gauge | On May 2, 2011, the Agency (Texas Department of Health) was notified by the licensee that during routine checks on an Ohmart/Vega nuclear gauge model SHD containing 250 millicuries of Cesium (Cs) 137 (original activity), the shutter was found stuck in the open position. The gauge is mounted on a tank and is located 100 feet above ground and does not create an exposure risk. The gauge is used for level detection. The licensee has lubricated the operating mechanism several times to get the shutter to operate, but it remains stuck. A service provider will be contacted to conduct repairs if needed. The gauge was installed in 1990 time frame and is to be replaced in the future. Addition information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300. Texas Incident Number I-8840
On May 3, 2011, the Agency was notified by the licensee that the gauge was working as designed. The repeated lubrication of the operating mechanism was the only method used to make the repair to the gauge. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA - 300. Notified R4DO (Proulx) and FSME EO (McIntosh). | ||
| ENS 44912 | 17 March 2009 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Process Gauge Shutter Handle Broke | On the afternoon of 3/17/09, while closing the shutter of a Ohmart/Vega SH-F1 level detection gauge, the handle separated from the shutter closure device. The gauge contains a 10 milliCurie Cesium (Cs) - 137 source serial # 5747 GK. The license can not confirm the exact position of the shutter, but they are sure that it is not closed yet. Lubricants have been used on the shutter mechanism to aid in its operation. The licensee will continue their attempts to close the shutter on 3/18/09. If unable to close, they will request assistance from the manufacturer. Additional information will be provided as it is received. Texas Event: I-8620
The Radiation Safety Officer notified the (State of Texas) that the gauge had not been fully closed yet, but area dose rates were normal therefore the gauge does not create additional risk of exposure to their workers. Notified R4DO (Hay) and FSME EO (Camper).
The licensee reported (to the State of Texas) that on April 28, 2009, a technician from the manufacturer installed a shield over the source and removed the gauge from the vessel. The gauge has been placed in a radioactive material storage area until it can be packaged and returned to the manufacturer. Notified R4DO (Pick) and FSME EO (McIntosh). | ||
| ENS 44452 | 29 August 2008 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Level Gauge Shutter Malfunction | On 8/29/08, Incident Investigation Program received a letter from the licensee stating that on June 23, 2008 while conducting their routine surveillance, a Ohmart/VEGA level gauge used on their vent stack for level detection failed the inspection when the shutter mechanism failed to close fully. An inspection of the gauge found that a bolt on the operating handle had sheared and the shutter would not close. The gauge contains one 200 millicurie Cesium (Cs) - 137 source serial # M-7089. The licensee has contacted the manufacturer and is working with them to schedule the repair of the gauge. Surveys conducted by the licensee has determined that dose rates in the area of the gauge are normal and do not pose a risk of exposures to their workers. The source has been labeled 'Do Not Operate - Contact Site RSO'. This event is also identified as Texas event number I-8546. |