| The Nuclear Regulatory Commission
staff has proposed a $3,000 fine against Meprolight, Inc., for the improper
distribution of products from its facility in Yonkers, N.Y. The products, which
contained NRC-licensed material, were distributed before the Washington, D.C.-based
company obtained a license from the agency allowing it to do so.
NRC officials said the significance of the violation by Meprolight was low
because the distributed items -- sights and aiming devices for small arms
and archery equipment -- were designed for use by individuals with little
radiation safety training and contain only small quantities of tritium, a
licensed radioactive material. Nevertheless, the violation represents a careless
disregard of NRC requirements and is a significant concern because the agency
relies upon the employees of NRC-licensed firms to comply with its regulations.
The violation was identified during an NRC inspection conducted on October
26 and November 2 and 14, 2001, at the Yonkers facility, and during a subsequent
investigation by the agency’s Office of Investigations. Specifically,
the NRC determined that Meprolight distributed more than 2,300 of the devices
in two shipments, on December 20 and 27, 2000. This occurred even though the
company did not receive an NRC license allowing such distribution until January
8, 2001.
A predecisional enforcement conference between NRC staff and Meprolight
was held on July 10 to discuss the violation and related issues. At that meeting,
company representatives acknowledged the violation but denied that any Meprolight
employees had acted with careless disregard of NRC regulations.
Meprolight has 30 days to pay the fine or appeal it. If the fine is appealed
and subsequently upheld by NRC staff, the company may request a hearing.
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