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Home My WebLink AboutDRC-2017-000582 - 0901a068806a0ec9Div of Waste Management and Radiation Control m u Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. 225 Union Blvd. Suite 600 Lakewood, CO, US, 80228 ry^mioods&2-303 974 2140 www.energyfuels.com January 16, 2017 Sent VIA E-MAIL AND EXPRESS DELIVERY Mr. Scott Anderson Director Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control Utah Department of Environmental Quality 195 North 1950 West P.O. Box 144880 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4820 Re: Transmittal of Documentation for Follow-up to Notification Provided to the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (“DWMRC”) for White Mesa Uranium Mill Dear Mr. Anderson: Attachment 1 to this letter provides Energy Fuels Resources USA Inc.’s (“EFRFs”) follow-up documentation to the previous notification to DWMRC Personnel by Kathy Weinel on January 12, 2017 regarding Honeywell alternate feed shipping issues. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) regulations in 49 CFR 171.15 require that persons in physical possession of a material during an incident provide notifications to DOT after the occurrence of any incident. Pursuant to this requirement, Mr. Jason Cybulski of Honeywell made the appropriate notifications to U.S. DOT National Response Center on January 12, 2017. If you should have any questions regarding this submittal please contact me at 303-389-4134. Yours very truly, Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. Kathy Weinel Quality Assurance Manager CC: David Frydenlund Harold Roberts David Turk Logan Shumway Scott Bakken ATTACHMENT 1 DOCUMENTATION FOR INCIDENT OF JANUARY 12, 2017 Name of Reporter to DWMRC Verbal Notification was provided to the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (“DWMRC”) by Kathy Weinel, White Mesa Mill Quality Assurance Manager (“QAM”). This follow-up notification is provided by the EFRI QAM. Notifications were provided to Mr. Tom Rushing of DWMRC on January 12, 2017. Name and Address of Person Represented by Reporters Energy Fuels Resources USA Inc. 225 Union Boulevard, Suite 600 Lakewood, Colorado 80228 For an incident located near: White Mesa Mill 6425 South Highway 191 Blanding Utah, 84511 Phone Numbers Where EFRI Contacts Can Be Reached David Turk 435-678-4113 Kathy Weinel 303-389-4134 Date, Time, and Location of Incident At approximately 1142 hours on Thursday January 12, 2017, an incoming tractor trailer from Honeywell - Metropolis, carrying alternate feed materials, reached the Mill. No issues were noted prior to the shipment being escorted into the Mill’s restricted area. During the unloading of the contents (drums), the staff at the White Mesa Mill (the “Mill”) noted that three of the drums were leaking inside of the transport container. The transport container had been lined with plastic sheeting. After removal of the drums and subsequently the plastic sheeting it was noted that there were tears in the plastic sheeting. It was noted that the liquid had seeped into the floor of the transport container and a small amount of fluid had seeped through the floor of the transport container and was visible on the underside of the transport container. The transport container had traveled from the Metropolis, Illinois, overland to the Mill entrance in Blanding, Utah. The incident involved a leaking alternate feed shipment from Honeywell. No leaks were observed in the Mill entry way or on US Highway 191. The Extent of the Injury No injuries resulted from this incident. Class or Division, Proper Shipping Name and Quantity of Hazardous Materials Involved The leaked material is UN2912, Radioactive Material, low specific activity (LSA-1), 7 (U-Nat). It is estimated that less than 1 gallon was present on the transport container. Type of Incident and Nature of Hazardous Material Involvement and Whether a Continuing Danger to Life Exists at the Scene The incident involved transport container that was leaking a small amount of material. No material was observed on the Mill property or on the highway. The majority of the leaked material remained affixed to the transport container. The leaking material was identified as UN2912, Radioactive Material, low specific activity (LSA-1), 7 (U-Nat.). At no time during the incident was there a danger to life. Chronology of the Incident • At approximately 1142 hours on Thursday January 12, 2017, the staff at the Mill was notified of a delivery from Honeywell - Metropolis. The truck contained 55 drums of material. • At approximately 1145 hours the truck was escorted into the Mill’s restricted area for unloading. • During the unloading activities, Mill Personnel noted that three of the drums had leaked into the transport container. The EFRI Radiation Safety Officer (“RSO”) was notified. The RSO immediately examined the container, drums, and truck and took photographs. • Unloading progressed in order to complete a more thorough inspection. • The transport container had been lined with plastic sheeting. After removal of the drums and subsequently the plastic sheeting it was noted that there were tears in the plastic sheeting. • It was noted that the liquid had seeped into the floor of the transport container and a small amount of fluid had seeped through the floor of the transport container and was visible on the underside of the transport container. • The RSO contacted Mr. Jno Benard of Honeywell and notified him of the issues associated with the container received at the Mill. • Mr. Jno Bernard from Honeywell then had Mr. Jason Cybulski contact EFRI about the incident. • Mr. Jason Cybulski notified the trucking company, TAM International US, Inc. and made reports to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”) and to the Department of Transportation (“DOT’). The DOT Report Number is 1168447. • After photographing the transport container and unloading the contents the transport container was decontaminated at the Mill’s decon facility. • The transport container was listed as exclusive use. The container was scrubbed and decontaminated and scanned pursuant to the Mill’s procedures. The pre-release scanning criteria, for exclusive use containers, were used. Data from these scans is summarized below. • The transport container was released from the Mill at approximately 1520 hours. Summary of Scan Results Location Background Units Post-Cleanup Results Units Interior of the Transport Container 294 dpm/lOOcm2 and 0.04 mrem/hr Total Alpha-29,400 dpm/100cm2 Removable alpha - 287 dpm/100cm2 Exterior of the Transport Container 294 dpm/100cm2 and 0.04 mrem/hr Total Alpha-1,470 dpm/100cm2 Removable alpha - < Background Conclusion After final decontamination to appropriate release standards, the transport container was released. No cleanup activities at the Mill, on Highway 191, or the travel way were required. EFRI has requested that Honeywell personnel complete an investigation of the cause of this incident and take appropriate actions to prevent recurrence in the future. Honeywell noted that two additional shipments were in route to the Mill. The drivers were instructed to stop and complete a thorough inspection before proceeding any further. The inspections did not note any issues and the transport continued. 4