11 Aug (NucNet): A special inspection has begun at the Palisades nuclear power plant in the US to review operational and equipment problems that prevented workers from leaving the containment area.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which announced the start of the inspection on 8 August 2008, said the incident occurred on 5 August when the single pressurised water reactor plant in Michigan was shut down to replace leaking control rod drive seals.
“Five individuals were inside the plant containment area inspecting safety-related piping and components. When they were ready to exit, both normal and emergency containment doors failed to open. In addition, telephone communication from the containment failed,” the NRC said.
The five people in the containment area were only able to exit when another plant worker entered the containment. The incident did not result in radiation overexposure but the individuals were in an area with high temperatures.
NRC regional administrator James Caldwell said: “Even though this incident did not result in overexposure, it is important for us to understand its causes. Our special inspection team is tasked with reviewing the operational and equipment problems which resulted in five people being unable to leave containment through normal or back-up means.”
The average duration of a special inspection is seven days and an inspection report will be issued about 45 days after the inspection is complete.
In January 2007, the NRC said it had renewed the operating licence of Palisades, on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, until 24 March 2031.
– by John Shepherd
