A damaged fuel element at the the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) triggered an alert last year but never threatened the public, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reports.
The NRC's final report on the Feb. 3, 2021 incident at the NCNR found that the reactor automatically shut down when a fuel element overheated after not being properly secured into place. "The report confirms that the public was safe at all times during and after the incident," NIST states in the March 16 announcement.
The NRC report also outlined seven apparent violations as contributing to the incident, including deficiencies in policies, procedures, training and safety. NRC stated it will examine the individual violations to determine the appropriate enforcement actions.
Four outside experts will review the organizational response to the 2021 incident, NIST's analyses of the event and its planned corrective measures, according to NIST. The agency also reports the reactor will remain offline until the NRC determines the corrective actions taken are sufficient to ensure public safety and then approves the restart.
“NIST takes very seriously the findings of the NRC Special Inspection Team and is committed to taking all corrective actions that will ensure the safe operation of this vital national resource,” NIST director James Olthoff said in the announcement.
“We have already begun making changes to our organization and procedures," Olthoff said, "and will work closely with the NRC to make sure an incident like this does not happen again.”
