Closeout of IE Bulletin 78-08: Radiation levels from fuel element transfer tubes

On April 5, 1978, two radiation protection technicians accidentally entered a high radiation area adjacent to an exposed section of the fuel element transfer tube at Trojan Nuclear Power Plant. On June 12, 1978, IE Bulletin 78-08 was issued by the NRC to alert licensees to the event and to reduce the potential for serious personnel wholebody exposure due to uncontrolled access to very high radiation areas. Holders of operating licenses for power and non-power (research and test) reactors with fuel element transfer tubes were required to take specific actions and report results. Evaluation of licensees' responses and NRC/IE inspection reports and memorandums shows that the bulletin can be closed out per specific criteria for 61 (92%) of the 66 operating power facilities and for all of the 64 operating non-power facilities affected by the bulletin. Followup items for the remaining five (5) power facilities are proposed for use by NRC/IE, to document inspection commitments and to ensure satisfactory completion of required action. Conclusions are presented and remaining areas of concern are identified