Semantic search
| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 40941 | 28 July 2004 14:20:00 | 10 CFR 30.50(b)(1) | Marine Corp Tritium Device Incident | On 28 July 2004, at approximately 0920 hours, the installed Tritium-in-Air monitor for the Tritium Instrument Repair Room (TIRR) at Maintenance Center Albany ((MCA), Georgia) abruptly alarmed. On 27 July 2004, the six counter sources (0.45 Curies each/2.7 Curie total) contained within the gear box of an M137 panoramic telescope had been replaced. The M137 unit was placed on an alignment fixture on the morning of 28 July. Upon alarm actuation, the TIRR and the Optics/Fire Control Shop were evacuated. Assembly of personnel was in a common area exterior to the shop. The MCA radiation protection assistant (RPA) and the Base radiation safety officer (BRSO) were summoned. Entry into the TIRR was made with the use of a Johnston Labs Model 111 portable tritium-in-air monitor. Suspicions were satisfied when the portable tritium-in-air monitor indicated 30-microCuries/m3 of tritium gas in the immediate vicinity of the test fixture and mounted M137 panoramic telescope. The TIRR utilizes a negative pressure ventilation system, which is directly ducted to the environment. The door to the TIRR was opened and within approximately one-half hour, the gaseous tritium levels had been reduced to background. The M137 was double bagged and placed within the TIRR vent hood. Two workers were present in the TIRR when the evacuation alarm sounded. The shop supervisor entered the area to assess the accuracy of the alarm condition. These three individuals were sent to the on-base medical clinic for urine collection. Samples were taken at time zero plus four hours, time zero plus eight hours, and for the-twenty-four hour period immediately following the time zero plus eight hour sample. The primary worker received a slight uptake of gaseous tritium. Dose calculations for that uptake proved the uptake to be (statistically) less than 0.0 milliRem. The other worker and the supervisor showed no evidence of any tritium uptake. Contamination wipes revealed no contamination of the test fixture or the wall.
The licensee is retracting this report based on the following: This note is to rescind the incident report number 40941. The event occurred at a Marine Corp Base in Albany, GA. The initial call into the NRC Operation Center on 10 August, 2004, stated that this was a potential incident under Part 30.5. After further review of the incident we have concluded and concurred with by Mr. Darrel Wiedeman, Region III, that the release of tritium was very minimal resulting in no closure of work areas, no surface contamination of work areas, or radiation dose to employees involved. The event therefore is determined to be non-reportable. Notified R1DO(Jackson), R2DO(Julian), R3DO(Clayton) and NMSS (Essig). | ||
| ENS 41211 | 17 November 2004 18:00:00 | 10 CFR 30.50(b)(1) | Unplanned Contamination Due to a Broken M1A1 Collimator | During an exercise conducted in May 2004 at Camp Shelby, MS an M1A1 Collimator, NSN 1240-00-332-1780, containing 10 Curies Tritium was removed from service, i.e., possibly broken, and double-bagged for storage. The device was subsequently transported from Camp Shelby to Shelbyville, TN and ultimately forwarded to the Combined Support Maintenance Shop of the TN National Guard located in Smyrna, TN for repair. A routine pre-maintenance wet swipe test indicated contamination levels as high as 619,094 disintegrations/min using a liquid scintillation meter. This corresponds to an activity of 0.27 microcuries. Two TN National Guard staff have submitted samples for bioassay. The results will be available on Monday, 11/22. Radiation surveys conducted at the Shelbyville and Smyrna, TN storage locations were negative. The device is currently double-bagged in the low level rad waste storage area of the Combined Support Maintenance Shop awaiting disposal. | ||
| ENS 42713 | 6 July 2006 04:00:00 | 10 CFR 30.50(b)(1) | Unplanned Tritium Contamination During Maintenance | On July 6, 2006 a range indicator SSDR no. NR-155-S-116-S containing (four) 0.8 Ci (curies) tritium lamps (3.2 curies total) was broken during a maintenance procedure at Ft. Bragg, NC Special OPS, 3rd Group Direct Support weapons room, Bldg E-1978. The Ft. Bragg RSO was notified on 7 July 2006 of the incident. Improper maintenance procedure was the reason for the breakage of the tritium sealed source. Two persons were involved in the incident. One tritium bioassay was taken of one individual. The second individual did not have a bioassay taken due to the fact he went on TDY (Temporary Duty) before the discovery of the accident. Leak test of the broken range indicator showed removable contamination of 0.95 microcuries. An area survey of the weapons room by the Ft. Bragg RSO showed a maximum contamination of 0.3 micro curies (64,944 dpm). The Ft. Bragg RSO closed and secured the arms room from re-entry of personnel. The Ft Bragg RSO performed decontamination of the weapons room and brought the tritium removable contamination below regulatory concerns (<10,000 dpm). The licensee was notified of the incident on July 12, 2006. |