Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-20-12-.26

Current through June 26, 2024

Section 0400-20-12-.26 - NOTIFICATION OF INCIDENTS AND LOST SOURCES; ABANDONMENT PROCEDURES FOR IRRETRIEVABLE SOURCES

(1) The licensee shall immediately notify the Division of Radiological Health by telephone and subsequently, within 30 days, by confirmatory letter if the licensee knows or has reason to believe that a sealed source has been ruptured. The letter must designate the well or other location, describe the magnitude and extent of the escape of radioactive materials, assess the consequences of the rupture, and explain efforts planned or being taken to mitigate these consequences.

(2) The licensee or registrant shall notify the Division of Radiological Health of the theft or loss of radioactive materials, radiation overexposures, excessive levels and concentrations of radiation, and certain other accidents as required by Rules 0400-20-05-.140, 0400-20-05-.141, and 0400-20-05-.143.

(3) If a sealed source becomes lodged in a well, and when it becomes apparent that efforts to recover the sealed source will not be successful, the licensee shall:

(a) Notify the Division of Radiological Health by telephone of the circumstances that resulted in the inability to retrieve the source and:

1. Obtain Division approval to implement abandonment procedures; or

2. That the licensee implemented abandonment before receiving Division approval because the licensee believed there was an immediate threat to public health and safety; and

(b) Advise the well owner or operator as appropriate, of the abandonment procedures under paragraph (1) or (3) of Rule 0400-20-12-.06; and

(c) Either ensure that abandonment procedures are implemented within 30 days after the sealed source has been classified as irretrievable or request an extension of time if unable to complete the abandonment procedures.

(4) Within 30 days after a sealed source has been classified as irretrievable, the licensee shall make a written report to the Division at the address in Rule 0400-20-04-.07. The licensee shall send a copy of the report to each state or Federal agency that issued permits or otherwise approved of the drilling operation. The report must contain the following information:

(a) Date of occurrence;

(b) A description of the irretrievable well logging source involved including the radionuclide and its quantity, chemical, and physical form;

(c) Surface location and identification of the well;

(d) Results of efforts to immobilize and seal the source in place;

(e) A brief description of the attempted recovery effort;

(f) Depth of the source;

(g) Depth of the top of the cement plug;

(h) Depth of the well;

(i) The immediate threat to public health and safety justification for implementing abandonment if prior Division approval was not obtained in accordance with part (3)(a)2 of this rule;

(j) Any other information, such as a warning statement, contained on the permanent identification plaque; and

(k) State and Federal agencies receiving a copy of this report.

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-20-12-.26

Original rule filed February 22, 2012; effective May 22, 2012.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 68-202-101 et seq., 68-202-201 et seq., and 4-5-201 et seq.