NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION: NRC Proposes $8,500 Fine to Idaho State University

Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following announcement on May 4.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing an $8,500 fine to Idaho State University for failing to maintain control and surveillance of one gram of radioactive material.

Two apparent violations of NRC requirements were identified in a Feb. 7 inspection report involving: (1) the failure to control and maintain surveillance of licensed radioactive material; and (2) the failure to provide accurate and complete information to the NRC in its inventory records.

The NRC considers the loss of control of licensed radioactive material a significant regulatory concern because of the potential for unauthorized possession or use of licensed radioactive material or the unnecessary exposure of members of the public to radiation. The NRC considers the failure to provide information to the Commission that is complete and accurate in all respects a significant regulatory concern because it affects the NRC’s ability to perform its regulatory functions.

NRC staff met with university representatives on March 21 during a pre-decisional enforcement conference to discuss the proposed violations. Because the university took prompt corrective actions after the violations were identified, no fine was proposed for failing to provide accurate and complete information to the NRC. The university has 30 days in which to dispute the fine or request involvement of a neutral third-party mediator to resolve the issues.

Original source can be found here.