Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Press Release

No: IV-17-021 December 14, 2017

Contact: Victor Dricks, 817-200-1128

NRC Proposes $22,400 Fine Against Qal-Tek Associates

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing a $22,400 civil penalty against Qal-Tek Associates of Idaho Falls, Idaho, for violations regarding the shipment of radioactive materials.

The violations were identified in an NRC inspection report prepared following an incident that occurred in April, when a package containing several radioactive sources was shipped from a temporary jobsite to the company’s headquarters. Upon receipt, workers scanned the package and determined that radiation levels exceeded regulatory limits resulting from radioactive sources that had not been properly packaged.

A commercial shipping service was used, but based on interviews of licensee and shipper employees, no one is expected to have received a radiation exposure in excess of regulatory limits.

NRC staff met with company representatives on Nov. 9, during a pre-decisional enforcement conference. Company officials did not contest the violations, but provided information about long-term corrective actions. The company has 30 days in which to dispute the fine or request involvement of a neutral third-party mediator to resolve the issue.