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| Entered date | Event description | |
|---|---|---|
| ENS 45580 | 17 December 2009 16:12:00 | At approximately 1:00 PM MST today (12/17/09), . . .FMC personnel notified Mr. Richard Leonardi at the NRC Region 4 Office of the following incident. Mr. Leonardi requested that we report the incident to the Operations Center . . .. Incident: At approximately 8:30 AM MST, on 12/17/09, the FMC radiation worker was approaching the location of a Berthold fixed source device, for the purpose of performing some maintenance functions. The Berthold device is mounted approximately 12 ft. above the floor, and meters flow of a sodium-based slurry @ 98 degree Centigrade through an 8 (inch) diameter Stainless Steel pipe. The radiation worker approached the device to see if they could close the shutter and upon nearing the device (via ladder), the meter pegged at 200 millirems. The radiation worker could not get the reading to change by moving the shutter actuator, and retreated from the device within (approximately) 2 minutes. The RSO and assistant then flagged the area to establish a perimeter at which readings of 2 millirems or less are detected. Pertinent Facts: This Device, Berthold Model LB-7440, S/N 226-1-91, containing a 150 millicurie source, Cesium 137, was subjected to routine shutter test in September 2009, per standard license protocol. The device passed that shutter test without issue. This same device was subjected to routine 'leak test' per standard license protocol in June of 2009, without issue. The Manufacturer of the device, Berthold, has been notified . . . , and a qualified Berthold technician has been dispatched via automobile from Tennessee, with a replacement shield, to address and contain the device, such that the unit is rendered safe for appropriate repair/replacement. We have committed to update Mr. Leonardi of Region 4, as soon as the Berthold technician has inspected the unit. We have also understand that FMC has an obligation to tender a written report of this incident and its resolution to Mr. James Thompson of the Region 4 NRC Office. FMC's RSO and Radiation Worker verified the readings, using two other metering devices. |