U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Office of Public Affairs, Region IV

611 Ryan Plaza Drive - Suite 400

Arlington, Texas 76011-8064

RIV: 96-58 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Breck Henderson November 1, 1996

OFFICE: 817/860-8128

PAGER: (800) 443-7243 (065477)

E-MAIL: bwh@nrc.gov

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

FOR RADIATION WORKER EXPOSURE INCIDENT

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

the public. [The third and fourth violations] are also

significant because they resulted in a delay in CTI's

notifications and response to the incident. . . Therefore, these

violations are classified in the aggregate . . . as a Severity

Level II problem." The NRC rates incidents on a four-level

scale, with Level I being the most severe.

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

corrective actions which include disciplining the radiographers

involved, improved emphasis on reporting of incidents, posting

safety memos regarding the incident, increased frequency of

safety audits, additional training on proper use of the

radiography camera, and assignment of a new safety coordinator.

CTI must respond to the Notice of Violation in writing

within 30 days. The response must document specific actions

taken to prevent recurrence of the incident. During this time

the Company may pay the fine or file a protest.

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