[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 9 (Thursday, January 13, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-704] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: January 13, 1994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [General License 10 CFR 150.20 EA 92-102] Modified Confirmatory Order; American Testing and Inspection, Inc. Country Club Hills, IL I American Testing and Inspection, Inc. (ATI), was formerly holder or State of Illinois Byproduct Material License No. 01085-01 (License) issued on January 8, 1988. The License authorized the possession and use of sealed sources of iridium-192 in industrial radiographic exposure devices to perform licensed activities within the State of Illinois. Pursuant to 10 CFR 150.20 and its License, ATI was authorized to possess and use licensed byproduct materials to perform industrial radiography in non-Agreement States. ATI's License expired on August 31, 1992. The License was transferred to McNDT Leasing, Inc. and amended in its entirety in accordance with letters dated August 31, 1992 and September 3, 1992. II An inspection by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was conducted on February 12 through March 27, 1992, of ATI's activities that were conducted in the States of Indiana and Michigan (non- Agreement States). Six violations were identified, including (1) the failure to file NRC Form 241 on 174 days in 1991 when performing radiography in non-Agreement States in accordance with 10 CFR 150.20(b)(1); (2) performing radiography in non-Agreement States on more than 180 days within calendar year 1991 in violation of 10 CFR 150.20(b)(3); and (3) the failure of ATI to have a qualified independent organization observe ATI's radiographers or conduct an audit of ATI's radiation safety program in violation of Section IV.C. of an Order Modifying License that was issued by the NRC to ATI on November 30, 1989. The NRC issued Enforcement Action (EA) 92-102 against ATI consisting of a Notice of Violation and Proposed Imposition of Civil Penalty-$15,000 (Notice) dated October 7, 1992. Mr. Ronald Preston, formerly President, ATI, responded on November 30, 1992, to the Notice admitting the violations, but requesting that the proposed civil penalty be vacated since ATI had gone into Chapter 7 bankruptcy and ceased industrial radiography operations. The Notice did not preclude Mr. Preston from performing radiography under another licensee's Agreement State license and, pursuant to 10 CFR 150.20, from engaging in licensed activities in NRC jurisdiction. A Confirmatory Order was issued on March 24, 1993, which constituted settlement of the civil penalty proposed in the Notice. In that Order, the civil penalty was withdrawn on the basis of Mr. Preston's inability to pay the $15,000 civil penalty and subsequent proposal that for a period of three years, he, ATI, or a successor entity wherein Mr. Preston is an authorized user, radiographer, radiographer's assistant, Radiation Safety Officer, an Assistant Radiation Safety Officer, an officer, or a controlling stockholder, would not apply to the NRC for a new license, nor would Mr. Preston, ATI, or a successor entity, as described above, engage in licensed activities within NRC jurisdiction for that same period of time. IV The Confirmatory Order was executed on March 24, 1993. In August and September 1993, Mr. Preston indicated a financial need to engage in licensed activities; however, he remained unable to pay the $15,000 civil penalty. Specifically, on September 23, 1993, Mr. Preston contacted Ms. Patricia A. Santiago of the NRC Office of Enforcement, and indicated he was unable to obtain a loan or funds and requested that he be permitted to work as an assistant radiographer. In light of the fact that Mr. Preston has recognized the violations that led to the previous enforcement action, and Mr. Preston's inability to pay the $15,000 civil penalty and need to earn a livelihood, the NRC has reconsidered its previous order, and is satisfied that with the protections afforded by the supervision provided to an assistant radiographer, the Confirmatory Order may be modified as set forth below consistent with protection of the public health and safety. The NRC is willing to modify the Confirmatory Order to permit Mr. Preston to work as an assistant radiographer, with the addition of certain notice requirements. V Accordingly, pursuant to sections 81, 161b, 161i, 186, and 234 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the Commission's regulations in 10 CFR 2.202, 2.205, and 10 CFR parts 30, 34, and 150, it is hereby ordered, stipulated and agreed between the NRC and Mr. Preston as follows: 1. Except as provided in paragraph 4 below, the NRC withdraws the civil penalty of $15,000 as proposed in the Notice dated October 7, 1992 (EA 92-102); 2. Until March 23, 1996, Mr. Preston, ATI, or any successor entity, wherein Mr. Preston is an authorized user, radiographer, Radiation Safety Officer, an Assistant Radiation Safety Officer, an officer, or a controlling stockholder, will not apply to the NRC for a new license. 3. From the date Mr. Preston signs this Modified Confirmatory Order until March 23, 1996, Mr. Preston may engage in licensed activities within NRC jurisdiction only as an assistant radiographer. He may not act as a radiographer, supervisor, or Radiation Safety Officer within NRC jurisdiction. If Mr. Preston acts as an assistant radiographer within NRC jurisdiction during this period, he shall: a. Notify the Regional Administrator, NRC Region III, 799 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, 60137, at least five days prior to his being employed to perform work as an assistant radiographer within NRC jurisdiction. The Notice shall include the name, address, and telephone number of the NRC or Agreement State licensee; and b. Provide a copy of this Modified Confirmatory Order to any employer holding either an NRC license or an Agreement State license performing licensed activities in NRC jurisdiction, prior to his performing work for that employer as an assistant radiographer. 4. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, above, in the event that Mr. Preston, ATI, or a successor entity violates paragraph 3 of this Section, then the civil penalty of $15,000 will be reinstated by an Order Imposing Civil Penalty and the civil penalty of $15,000 will be due in full within 30 days of the date of that Order Imposing Civil Penalty. 5. Mr. Preston, ATI, and any successor entity waive the right to contest this Modified Confirmatory Order in any manner, including requesting a hearing on this Amended Confirmatory Order or the Order Imposing Civil Penalty, should one be issued as provided in paragraph 4 of this Section. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Dated: January 5, 1994. James Lieberman, Director, Office of Enforcement. For American Testing and Inspection, Inc. and Ronald Preston. Dated: December 1, 1993. Ronald Preston, Former President, American Testing and Inspection, Inc. [FR Doc. 94-704 Filed 1-12-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-M