No. IV-12-029

Contact: Victor Dricks (817) 200-1128

 Lara Uselding (817) 200-1519

 

August 14, 2012 

 E-Mail: OPA4.Resource@nrc.gov

NRC ISSUES CONFIRMATORY ORDER TO QUALITY INSPECTION AND TESTING 

AGREEMENT IS REACHED UNDER ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Quality Inspection and Testing (QIT) of New Iberia, La., has agreed to pay a $3,500 fine 

and take corrective actions related to securing radiography equipment and complying with job 

site procedures under an agreement reached with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In 

addition, the NRC banned a radiographer from conducting any licensed activities for one year 

and issued a notice of violation (NOV) to a second employee.

The settlement with QIT was achieved under the NRC’s Alternative Dispute Resolution 

(ADR) process, which was requested by QIT. The object was to reach a settlement agreement 

and address four apparent violations that included failures to secure radiography equipment used 

to photograph pipe welds, wear required dosimetry, and carry the required documents in a 

vehicle on site. These were detailed in an inspection report on June 5. In addition, the NRC 

found that both a radiographer and an assistant deliberately failed to follow procedures on which 

they had been trained.

When an NRC inspector arrived at a job site, she found QIT employees had left a 

radiography camera unsecured and unattended, and they were not wearing the required radiation 

monitoring equipment. When asked for required documents, the two did not have them on site. 

Due to this deliberate misconduct, the radiographer has been prohibited from performing, 

supervising or engaging in any industrial radiographic operations for a period of one year. The 

assistant received an NOV. An NOV is a written notice signifying a violation of regulations has 

occurred and normally requires a written response by the recipient.

An ADR mediation session with QIT took place on June 27 and led to an agreement 

detailed in the Confirmatory Order issued by the NRC on Aug. 10. ADR is a process in 

which a neutral mediator with no decision-making authority assists the parties in reaching an 

agreement or resolving any differences regarding a dispute. Under the agreement, QIT’s actions 

will include the following:

Develop and implement a comprehensive training program for all employees that clearly 

explains the consequences for violating NRC regulations, the importance of following 

proper procedures when using a radioactive source, and properly securing the material. 

NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Region IV

 1600 E. Lamar Blvd.

 Arlington, TX 76011-4511

Telephone: (817) 860-8100

Site: www.nrc.gov

Blog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov
Revise procedures to improve how employees conduct work at job sites, how they report 

concerns, and address the securing of licensed material and equipment. 

Copies of the enforcement actions will be posted on the NRC web site at:

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/enforcement/actions.

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