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| Entered date | Event description | |
|---|---|---|
| ENS 56002 | 18 July 2022 14:51:00 | The following information was received via E-mail: Kentucky Radiation Health Branch (KYRHB) was notified on 7/15/2022 by the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) from American Engineers, Inc. that a Troxler 3430 portable Moisture Density gauge (Serial Number 20217; Cs-137: 9 mCi; Am-241/Be: 44 mCi) was severely damaged after it fell off the licensee's truck while leaving a worksite. The gauge was unsecured in an open bed and the tailgate left open, resulting in the gauge falling from the truck to the asphalt and being subsequently run over by a semi-trailer truck. The licensee proceeded to pick up all the debris including the source rod and bottom plate and secured it in the bed of the truck and placed a 55-gallon steel drum over the debris and extended a 15-foot caution zone around the truck, until the Fire Department arrived to scan the area for contamination. No outside contamination was detected on the road and readings were the same as background. The KYRHB inspector arrived about 1630 CDT and conducted independent scans and contamination swipes, and no leakage of either source was detected. The shielding around the Cs-137 source remained intact and readings were as expected from the shielded Cs-137 source. The gauge Tungsten shielding block was placed at the exposed source rod end and taped in place to further reduce possible exposure. The Am-241/Be source remained attached to the bottom housing and scans showed the readings to be nominal, and no removable contamination was detected. The debris was transferred to a plastic bucket and secured in the 55-gallon steel drum and transported to the licensee's facility in Glasgow, KY, and was stored in a room with appropriate signage isolated from the gauge storage area. Readings were checked outside the room to ensure that outside exposure rates were at a minimum. A reactive inspection of the licensee is planned at a future date as a follow-up. Reporting Criteria required by 10 CFR 30.50(b)(4). Kentucky Event Report ID No.: 220003 |
| ENS 54513 | 7 February 2020 09:23:00 | The following was received from the Commonwealth of Kentucky via email: The KY RHB (Kentucky Radiation Health Branch) was notified via email on 2/6/2020 (1559 EST) by a representative from specifically licensed facility, Big Rivers Electric Corp., that at 0715 on Thursday, 2/6/2020, one fixed gauging device (Kay Ray Model 7062BP, Serial Number 20086), containing 100 milliCuries Cs-137 (source serial No. 17400V; assay date 10/30/1985) had developed a potential problem while the shutter arm was moving freely. Survey results showed that the shutter remained in the shut position. The gauge is mounted on a pipe, and manned entry is not of concern, and the plant personnel have been notified that there is no access allowed to the affected pipe. All operational and maintenance activities will be delayed until the device has been removed for repair by a service provider. The licensee will be contacting a licensed service provider to remediate this situation. This is being reported under 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2). Kentucky Event Report ID No.: KY200001 |
| ENS 54416 | 29 November 2019 09:47:00 | The following was received from the Commonwealth of Kentucky via email: Kentucky Radiation Health Branch (KYRHB) was notified by email on November 27, 2019, of an on/off shutter equipment failure on two separate fixed gauging devices (Ronan SA1-F37, Serial Numbers 9472GK and 1079GK; Cs-137 activity 500 milliCi each). Kentucky Licensee, Arkema, Inc. reports November 27, 2019 during a required 6-month check, techs discovered the shutter was not closing. Verified by survey meter, the readings did not close fully as expected. Survey numbers were not reported, but a full report will be submitted on December 2, 2019. The Licensee RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) notified plant operations department and the safety department that entry into the vessels is only via a sealed manway, and that entry is not permitted until the shutter mechanism has been repaired, or the gauges have been replaced. Ronan Engineering is scheduled to be notified after the Thanksgiving break. The licensee will provide timely updates to the KYRHB and the licensee will reinstruct employees of event reporting criteria. Kentucky Event Report ID No.: KY190011 |
| ENS 54258 | 6 September 2019 10:29:00 | The following was received from Kentucky Department of Health Radiation Branch (KY RHB) via email: KY RHB was notified by telephone on 9/3/19 that at approximately 1230 EDT on 8/30/19, while performing radiography in a pipe rack, radiographers were unable to retract a 38.7 Curie Ir-192 (AEA/QSA A424-9, Serial No. 82580G) source into the exposure device (QSA 880D Serial No. D11651) using the crank mechanism. During the retracting process the cover plate on the drive became loose, enabling the internal drive cable to depart the gear system in the handle of the drive cable mechanism. Since the issue with the drive cable could not be repaired, the incident became a retrieval situation, and the crew made appropriate notifications to the Radiation Safety Officer, manager and on-site contact. The crew established a new 2 mR boundary as required and confirmed that the area was secure. The drive cable was removed from the handle, and the source was manually retracted into the exposure device. The source was secured in the exposure device at 1435 EDT. During the 2-hours while the source was exposed, there were no overexposures to the public. The radiographer and assistant received exposures of 80 mR and 130 mR respectively and the manager received an exposure of 5 mR. It was determined that the root cause of the incident was that the crew did not properly inspect the equipment before commencing non-destructive testing activities. It was discovered that the drive cable handle was missing four of the six screws that secure the cover plate on. This caused the drive cable to slip off the gear and partially lift the cover plate. The drive cables were immediately taken out of service and replaced with properly functioning equipment. Event Report ID No.: KY190009 |
| ENS 54208 | 9 August 2019 11:14:00 | The following was received from KY Department for Public Health & Safety, Radiation Health Branch (KY RHB) via fax: KY RHB was notified by telephone on 8/8/19 by a representative from a specifically licensed facility, North American Stainless, that on 8/7/19 an event occurred when molten steel escaped a mold due to an overflow in a cooling trough, and covered access to the top portion of a Berthold Model LB300ML level gauge (Serial No. 9413), containing a 1 mCi Co-60 rod sealed source (Serial No 1820-11-5). This resulted in the shutter on-off mechanism becoming disabled. After the steel and mold had cooled, it was freed on 8/8/19 and segregated into a secure storage area. Initial readings taken with a Ludlum 2241-3 survey instrument measured with a Ludlum 44-7 probe were less than 2 mR/hr outside the gauge storage area. No overexposures were reported. On 8/8/19, Radiametric Technologies, a service provider located in Lorain, Ohio, requested reciprocal approval and was granted reciprocity on 8/9/19 in order to assess and remediate the situation, to be conducted on 8/13/19. North American Stainless is reviewing the incident to avoid future repeat incidents involving mold flow issues, and a complete report will be provided once the remediation is complete. Event Report ID No KY190007 |
| ENS 53483 | 2 July 2018 15:30:00 | The following was received from the Commonwealth of Kentucky via fax: On 6/28/18 while conducting a 6-month physical inventory and shutter check (on-off mechanism) the licensee, ARKEMA, Inc., discovered the shutters malfunctioned on two separate fixed gauging devices, namely: 1) TN Technologies fixed gauging device model 5208 Serial No. MB 4251 containing 8 Ci Cs-137. The licensee has attempted to contact Thermo Scientific to repair the shutter. The root cause of the failure of the on/off mechanism was due to corrosion and dust due to the gauging device's environment. This licensee produces industrial chemicals and the gauging device is operated in a corrosive environment. This event was reported to the (Kentucky Radiation Health Branch) KY RHB as required by regulation on 6/29/18. 2) Ronan Engineering fixed gauging device model SA-1 Serial Number M8107, containing 5 Ci Cs-137. The licensee has contacted Ronan Engineering and repairs will be conducted during the week starting on 7/16/18. This licensee produces industrial chemicals and the gauging device is operated in a corrosive environment. The event was reported to KY RHB as required by regulation on 6/29/18. No accidental overexposures have been reported due to the malfunction. Kentucky Event Report ID No.: KY180002 |
| ENS 51399 | 16 September 2015 11:38:00 | The following information was obtained from the Commonwealth of Kentucky via facsimile: (This failure was) not previously reported by licensee to RHB (KY Radiation Health Branch), but recent inspection of facility (performed on 8/4/2015) showed that the defect was noted on 3/10/15 during the routine 6 month inventory and shutter check updates. Equipment failure: On-Off shutter mechanism on KAYRAY/Sensall 7062BP (Cs-137, 100 mCi; Serial No. 2975) fixed gamma gauge has broken spring. Shutter is kept in open position by makeshift wire fastener. No release of radioactivity. (Sealed Source capsule model 7700Y). Last leak test on 3/19/15 showed MDA (<5 nCi). Event Report ID No.: KY 150006 |