ML20134E643

Press Release IV-96-58, NRC Proposes $13,000 Fine Against Cti Ak,Inc for Radiation Worker Exposure Incident

ML20134E643
Person / Time
Issue date:	11/01/1996
From:	NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:
References
PR-IV-96-058, PR-IV-96-58, NUDOCS 9611010294
Download: ML20134E643 (2)

Text

. _ _ _ , _ _ _ . . - . _ _ __ . _ ._ ._ _ . . _ _ _ _ . _

s

i.

• r l

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission  !

Office of Public Affairs, Region IV  ;

611 Ryan Plaza Drive - Suite 400 Arlington, Texas 76011-8064 i

RIV: 96-58 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE }

CONTACT: Breck Henderson November 1, 1996 i OFFICE: 817/860-8128 l PAGER: (800) 443-7243 (065477) i E-MAIL: bwh@nrc. gov l l

NRC PROPOSES $13,000 FINE AGAINST CTI ALASKA, INC.  ;

FOR RADIATION WORKER EXPOSURE INCIDENT l The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed a $13,000 fine against CTI Alaska, Inc., of Anchorage, for an incident in which a worker was exposed to excess radiation after a radiographic camera malfunctioned. The worker did not receive more than his allowed maximum annual dose of 5 rem.

The incident took place at Endicott Island, North Slope, during the night shift on December 23-24, 1995. After using a radiographic camera, workers did not realize that the radiation source failed to fully retract into its shielded container when a safety latch inside the locking mechanism prematurely engaged. A radiographic camera is used in industrial applications, much like an X-ray machine is used in medicine, to detect flaws in dense metal objects.

The worker, called a radiographer, is trained in the use of the camera and in proper handling of radiation sources. In this case, the radiographer did not perform an adequate radiation survey as required at the completion of the job, which would have detected the unshielded radiation source. He also failed to assure he was wearing a functioning alarm ratemeter, a safety device that would have warned him he was working in a radiation field. Both failures are violations of NRC regulations.

When the radiographer made a second check of his radiation survey instrument and looked at his pocket dosimeter, a second <

personal radiation monitoring device he is required to carry, he realized he had been working in a high radiation field. However, he then failed to contact his supervisor immediately. When contacted, the supervisor failed to immediately contact the company's radiation safety officer, and the company did not promptly process the radiographer's film badge, a third personal radiation monitoring device that would indicate the exact dose he received. These actions are required by NRC-mandated safety procedures and represent violations.

NRC Regional Administrator Joe Callan said, in a letter to CTI president George E. Haugen, " [The first two violations] are significant because they represent two breached safety barriers that are designed to prevent overexposures to radiographers and 9611010294 961101 i PDR PRESS R RQ-IV-96-058 PDR %O 1 U10075 o/l .

_. __ . _ . _ ~ . _ _ . . _ _ _ _ _ _ . . - _ . . _ _ . . - _ _ _ _ . _ --_._ _ _

• a *'___  !

the public. [The third and fourth violations) are also significant because they resulted in a delay in CTI's l notifications and response to the incident. . . Therefore, these  ;

violations are classified in the aggregate . . . as a Severity l Level II problem." The NRC rates incidents on a four-level

, scale, with Level I being the most severe.

1 Mr. Callan noted in the letter that CTI has taken extensive >

2 corrective actions which include disciplining the radiographers involved, improved emphasis on reporting of incidents, posting safety memos regarding the incident, increased frequency of i safety audits, additional training on proper use of the i radiography camera, and assignment of a new safety coordinator.

CTI must respond'to the Notice of Violation in writing I

< within 30 days. The response must document specific actions .

4 taken to prevent recurrence of the incident. During this time l the Company may pay the fine or file a protest. I j l 1

1 3

l l

l

!