ML20149F814

Special Rept 87-013:on 871109,discovered Low Level Radioactive Matl Delivered to Coffey County Land Fill.Caused by Nonlicensed Util Personnel Error.Procedure for Release of Radioactive Matl Revised

ML20149F814
Person / Time
Site:	Wolf Creek
Issue date:	01/07/1988
From:	Withers B WOLF CREEK NUCLEAR OPERATING CORP.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION & RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (ARM)
References
WM-88-0003, WM-88-3, NUDOCS 8801140353
Download: ML20149F814 (5)

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A'ttachment to WM 88 0003 Page 1 of 4 NOLF CREEK GENERATDG STATION SPECIAL REEORP 87-013 FAIIDRE 'IO FOLICW PROCEDURES LEADS 'IO INADVERTENT RELEASES OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS 'IO COUNIT IANDFILL INTIODUCTICN On November 9,1987, at approximately 2000 CST, it was discovered that 1cw level radioactive material frcm Wolf Creek Generating Station (WJGS) had been delivered to the Coffey Ccunty Land Fill, located approximtely two miles East of Burlingtcn, Kansas. Subsequently, on Novenbe- 16, 1987, at approximtely 1430 CSP, during a follcu-up survey of the Coffey County Land Fill with Regicn IV Nuclear Regulatory Ccnmissicn (NRC) Inspectors, it was discovered that a plastic trashbag frcm NCGS containing two disposable cloths with low level contamination had also been delivered to the landfill. This special report of these events is being subnitted voluntarily.

DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS On November 8,1987, a Health Physics (HP) Technician was performing surveyu on material to be released fran the Radiological Controlled Area (RCA) for -

disposal. The material ccnsisted of ventilation ductwork fran the Containment Building. A smil amount of activity near the seams of the sheet matal was noted. The HP Technician attributed the activity to Tungsten-187, a naturally occurring radioisotope found in weld rod. The HP Technician released the material for disposal, retaining a small piece for further evaluathn using an intrinsic germanium detector which analyzes for gamna emitting radioisotopes.

Because the intrinsic germanium detector was being calibrated, the piece of ductwork held for further evaluation was not analyzed by the HP Technician until Novanber 9,1987. The analysis revealed that the ductwork contained Cobalt-58, Cobalt-60, Chronium-51, and Ircn-59. Upon completion of the analysis, the HP Technician rotified the HP Supervisor on shift who initiated a search of WCGS for the ductwork. Because the ductwork could not be located at WCGS, it was determined that the ductwork had already been taken to the Coffey County Lani Fill.

Because the HP Technician was working the night shift, the larxifill was closed for the day by the time the evaluatico of the results of the analysis was canpleted. The HP Supervisor left a note for the day shift HP personnel explaining the situation and the results of the analysis.

The Site Health Physicist was notified of the situation co Novanber 10, 1987 at approximtely 0715 CST. HP Technicians were dispatched to the Coffey County land Fill to retrieve the radioactive mterial. The HP Technicians located and returned to WOGS approximately 60 square feet of the scrap ductwork. Upcn return to WCBS, the Facilities and bbdifications (F&M) personnel involved in the disassenbly of the ductwork, inventoried the materials retumed to WCGS to ensure all had been retrieved. 'Ihe F&M personnel determined that three pieces were unaccounted for, totalling approximately six square feet. 8801140353 880107  ;

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Attachtrant to hN 88-0003 Page 2 of 4 The HP Technicians coupleted a detailed survey of the returned ductwork and concluded that the total activity of the ductwork returned to WQS to be approximately 4.75 microCuries. Estimates were then prepared for the three pieces that had not been located. HP Technicians estimted the total activity to be approximtely 0.293 microCuries.

On Novenber 11, 1987, the Nuclear Regulatory Comtission, Coffey County officials, aM the State of Kansas Department of Health and Envirorment (KDHE) were notified of the incident, and a press release was issued. An attspt to locate and retrieve the remining six square feet of ductwork frcm the landfill was initiated. Two pieces believed to be part of the ductwork were located and returned to WOGS.

In respcnse to the Novmber 8,1987 event, HP personnel aM Region IV hPC Inspectors conducting a follcw-up survey of the Coffey County Land Fill located a plastic trashbag containing two pieces of disposable cloth containing a smll amount of radioactive material on November 16, 1987, at approximately 1430 CST. The disposable cloths, one approximately six inches by twelve inches and the other approximately eighteen square inches in size, were contaminated. A Wolf Creek HP roan survey form dated October 15, 1987, was found inside the bag. Therefore, HP personnel were able to determine the Mg had been released to the landfill on or after October 15, 1987. The 69 was retrieved fran the Coffey County lam Fill ard returned to WCGS.

'Ihe HP Technicians ccmpleted an analysis of the disposable cloths which revealed they contained Cobalt-58, Cobalt-60, Chrcmium-51, Ircn-59, Manganese-54, and Niobium-95. A survey of the disposable cloths concluded the total activity of the contamination on the cloths to be 0.41 microcuries.

On November 16, 1987, the NRC, Coffey County officials, ard the KDHE were notified of the incident, aM a press release was issued.

The Coffey Ccunty Land Fill segregated the area where the trashbag was found in cooperation with WCGS mnagement, and further releases of trash fran the RCA to the landfill were tenporarily halted peMing the canpletion of an investigaticn. On Novenber 17, 1987, additional surveys of the landfill were initiated to determine the extent of the improper shipments.

The area currently in use as a landfill at the Coffey County lam Fill is approximately 350 feet by 120 feet. The surface area of the landfill currently in use was surveyed. This area was then graded and divided into 10 feet by 10 feet sections. Based on discussions with NRC personnel and State officials, a survi.y plan was devolcped. An area approximately 210 feet by 120 feet was segregated for detailed surveying to a depth of 4 feet. The renaining area of the landfill, approximtely 140 feet by 120 feet, was spot surveyed to a depth of 4 feet. The surveys of the laMfill were ccnpleted NovemMr 30, 1987.

RO T CAUSE AND 0)RRDCTIVE EPIONS The root cause of the release of radioactive nnterial fran WCGS to the Coffey Ccunty lam Fill has been attributed to nonlicensed utility personnel error. The release of materials frcm the RCA is governed by a procedure,

Attachnent to hw 88-0003 Page'3 of 4 "Radiological Control and Unconditional Release of Toals and Fauipnent," '

which requires that no detectable loose or fixed contamination be f unconditionally released.

This procedure was not follwa3 by the HP Technician who believed the radioactivity to be the result of Tungsten-187 weld rod, and therefore '

released the ductwork fran the RCA prior to ccmpleting the proper analysis.

The HP Technician was reprimanded for his failure to follcw established procedures. All HP Technicians have been retrained or, the proper use of the ,

unconditional release procedure and the survey instruments.

It is believed that the disposable cloths were inadvertently released fmn the RCA due to the difficulty in detecting small radioactivity levels in areas of the plant that are susceptible to backgrouM level changes as plant conditions change. It is believed the surveys conducted on the plastic trashbag were mnpleted in areas of the plant with background levels between

< 20.aM 50 microrans per hour. In an effort to prevent recurrence of these events, the location used for unconditional release surveys has been noved ,

to an area with low, stable background radiation levels.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

'Ibe results of the surveys corxiucted at the Coffey Ccunty Land Fill are included in Table 1, "Results of Surveys of Coffey County lam Fill."

Because ad3itional naterials fran WCGS were located at the larx3 fill during  ;

the detailed surveys, interviews with appropriate HP personnel were conducted to detennine the nature and extent of the problem.- In addition, the procedure governing the release of materials fran the RCA has been reviewed for adequacy aM accountability. The procedure has been revised [

and a method for double verification has been added.

Because the level of radiation was extrenely Icw, the materials release 3 l fran WCGS to the landfill posed no threat to the public health or safety.

We plant was in Mode 6, Refueling, at the time of these events.

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• Attachment to hw 88-0003-Page 4 of 4 TABE 1 Rmirtr'S OF SURVEYS OF COFFEY 00LN1Y IANDFIIL Approxirrate Activity Date Item (microCuries) Description Source i

11/10/87 60 ft 2 rnetal 4.8 Activation WOGS products 11/16/87 2 pieces of cloth 0.41 Activation WOGS products 11/19/87 Sludge lance filter 0.01 Contaminaticn WCGS frm 1986 outage products brought in by equipaent used .

1 11/19/87 Radium dial clock 0.23 Not WO3S*

1 11/20/87 Bagged dirt 6.4 Natural Not WCGS*

f occurring isotcpes as found in Uranium tailings 11/25/87 Blue absorbent pad 0.3 Apparent medical Not WOGS*

use of Iodine-131 11/28/87 5 pieces of cloth 1.4 Activation WWS  !

products 11/28/87 smoke detector 2.5 Not WO3S*

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• Investigation revealed that the source of these items was not WOGS. l 4

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s WOLF CREEKNUCLEAR OPERATING CORPORATION Bart D. Withers Pre @nt and Wof Executive Ofhe.' January 7,1988 WM 88-0003 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington D. C. 20555

Subject:

Docket No. 50-482: Special Report 87-013 Gentlemen:

The attached Special Report 87-013 is being submitted voluntarily to discuss an event which happened at Wolf Creek Generating Station (WCGS). This event involved low level radioactive material being released from WCGS to the Coffey County Land Fill.

If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact me or Mr.

O. L. Maynard of my staff.

Very truly yours, Bart D. Withers President and Chief Executive Officer BDW/11k i

Attachment l cc B. L. Bartlett (NRC), w/a R. D. Martin (NRC), w/a P. W. O'Connor (NRC), w/a

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