NRC PROPOSES $12,000 FINE
FOR HIGH MOUNTAIN INSPECTION SERVICE
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The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has proposed a fine of $12,000 against High Mountain Inspection Service, Inc., of Mills, Wyoming, for violating NRC requirements.

In a letter to the company, Bruce S. Mallett, Administrator of the NRC’s Region IV Office in Arlington, Texas, said that as a result of an NRC inspection and subsequent investigation completed in January, the agency determined that the company violated NRC security and training requirements for the possession and use of radioactive materials. The violations involved the failure to maintain adequate security of a radiographic exposure device (used to x-ray welds), and failure to administer a written test to a newly hired individual prior to using him as a radiographer’s assistant.

“The NRC acknowledges that there were no actual safety consequences as a result of these violations,” Mr. Mallett said. However, he said, “each had the potential to impact the safe use of radioactive materials.”

NRC staff met with company officials on February 18 to discuss the issues. The company said it has taken corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

The NRC has classified the violations at Severity Level III, each carrying a $6,000 civil penalty. The agency uses a four-level severity scale in which Severity Level I is the most serious. The company has 30 days to either pay the proposed civil penalty or challenge it.

The NRC’s letter, its enclosures, and the company’s response will be made available to interested members of the public through the agency’s public electronic reading room at: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Help in accessing these documents is available from the NRC Public Document Room at (301) 415-4737 or at 1-800-397-4209.

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