The following information was received from the State of
Pennsylvania via fax:
Notifications: On Wednesday February 15, 2012, the licensee left a voice message to the Central Office and followed with a phone conversation on February 16th regarding an event that took place on January 18, 2012. Additional information was then sent to Central Office via email on Friday, February 17, 2012. This event is reportable within 24-hours under 10CFR30.50(b)(2).
Event Description: Shutter test failures occurred on 3 fixed gauge devices at the Sunoco Philadelphia Refinery. Air actuators are used as the primary testing means to close the shutters. All three actuators failed to close the shutters on the devices and the instrument technicians were unable to manually close the shutters. The instrument technician foreman was unaware of any reporting requirements to the State and did not communicate this event to the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) until February 14, 2012.
The 3 devices are identified as:
Manufacturer: Ohmart Vega
Model: SH-F1
Serial #: OVO125; OVO129; OVO131
Isotope: Cs-137
Activity: 10 mCi (each)
CAUSE OF THE EVENT: Air actuator malfunction
ACTIONS: The manufacturer has been contacted and the parts have been ordered to repair the shutter mechanisms. The RSO reported that the failures of the shutter mechanism do not pose any additional threat to employee safety, and surveys in the area indicate readings of <0.5 mR/hr at 1 foot from the source. The Department plans to do a reactive inspection.
Media attention: None at this time
Event Report ID No.: PA120008