Events Reporting: Uranium Processing and Fuel Fabrication Facilities
For the latest information visit:
- BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. (formerly GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc.)
- Cameco's web pages on environmental incidents and other events for:
2024
Cameco
Date of event: April 9, 2024
Port Hope Conversion Facility, Port Hope, Ontario
On April 9, 2024, the CNSC was informed by the Port Hope Conversion Facility that a contractor sustained injuries after falling from a height while working at Cameco's Dorset Street warehouse. The individual is in stable condition and was transported to a Toronto hospital via air ambulance. All work at the Dorset Street warehouse location has been halted while the incident is investigated. Cameco notified the Municipality of Port Hope and the CNSC. The contractor notified the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
There was no health and safety risk to the public or the environment.
CNSC staff continue to monitor the response, and Cameco will submit a report on this event.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
2021
Cameco
Date of event: November 29, 2021
Port Hope Conversion Facility, Port Hope, Ontario
On November 29, 2021, a laundry water line at the Port Hope Conversion Facility failed at a joint and discharged water into the site’s storm sewer network, which drains into Port Hope Harbour. The licensee notified the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ Spills Action Centre of the event. Cameco has confirmed that approximately 500L of laundry water containing less than 1 gram of uranium was released.
CNSC staff have confirmed that there is no adverse impact on the safety of workers, the public or the environment.
For more information, visit Cameco’s website.
Cameco
Date of event: June 3, 2021
Port Hope Conversion Facility, Port Hope, Ontario
On June 3, 2021, Cameco activated its emergency response team (ERT) at the Port Hope Conversion Facility following the detection of an unauthorized release of uranium dioxide to the exterior of the UO2 plant. The release of less than 1 gram of uranium was localized onsite and remediated by the responding ERT.
This event had no adverse impact on the safety of workers, the public or the environment.
Visit Cameco’s website for more information.
2020
Cameco
Date of event: November 8, 2020
Port Hope Conversion Facility, Port Hope, Ontario
On November 8, 2020, Cameco informed the CNSC that it had activated its precautionary emergency response team (ERT) at the Port Hope Conversion Facility. The activation of the ERT was following the detection of a small leak of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride.
The ERT safely closed off the valve related to the leak. The licensee reported there are no elevated emissions as measured by its stack analyzers, and that there are no offsite impacts.
There are no injuries related to this event, and no health or safety risks posed to the public or environment.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of event: October 12, 2020
Port Hope Conversion Facility, Port Hope, Ontario
On October 12, 2020, the Port Hope Conversion Facility uranium hexafluoride conversion (UF6) plant experienced a loss of cooling water supply. The facility was safely shutdown using municipal water (chlorinated) which was subsequently discharged to the harbour. Cameco has notified the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
There was no health or safety risk posed to the public or environment.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of event: July 23, 2020
Cameco Fuel Manufacturing Inc., Port Hope, Ontario
On July 23, 2020, the CNSC was informed by Cameco Fuel Manufacturing that one hydrogen tank was venting excessively. It was confirmed the cause was a pressure-disk rupture in the tank. Hydrogen tanks are designed with triple redundancy, and the two other defense-in-depth safety layers remained operational.
Cameco Fuel Manufacturing is investigating to determine the cause of the leak. There is no risk to the workers, the public or the environment from this event.
CNSC staff continue to monitor the response, and Cameco will submit a report on this event.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of event: July 22, 2020
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
On July 22, 2020, the CNSC was informed by the Cameco PHCF that a minor fluorine gas leak had occurred at approximately 3:20 a.m. in the cell production room. Upon detecting the leak, the UF6 plant was shut down to isolate the cell and activate the emergency ventilation. Corrective action has been taken.
There was no risk to the workers, the public or the environment. The leak has been reported to Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and PHCF is operating as normal.
CNSC staff continue to monitor the response, and Cameco will submit a report on this event.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of event: April 24, 2020
Blind River Refinery
(Cameco)
Blind River Refinery (CNSC)
The CNSC was informed that a fire occurred at the Cameco Blind River Refinery on April 24. The fire was in the storage yard onsite. The Blind River Fire Department responded to the incident and contained the fire. There were no injuries and no impact to the public.
The cause of the fire is under investigation and a final report will be submitted to the CNSC. CNSC staff continue to monitor the response and will review the soil, water and air analysis upon availability in the coming days.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
2019
Cameco
Date of the event: October 4, 2019
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
Cameco has reported to the CNSC that on October 4, 2019, the licensee’s emergency response team was activated as a result of a hydrogen fluoride leak inside their UF6 plant at the company’s Port Hope location. The leak was found and stopped. There were no injuries and no impacts on the environment are expected from this event.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of the event: July 17, 2019
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
As per regulatory requirements, Cameco reported to the CNSC that on July 17, 2019, the licensee’s emergency response team was activated as a result of localized flooding at the company’s Port Hope location. There were no injuries and no expected impacts on the environment from this event.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of the event: March 28, 2019
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
Cameco has reported to the CNSC that on March 28, 2019, staff were evacuated as a result of a small fire at the Port Hope Conversion Facility. The fire was immediately extinguished, and the emergency response team was activated as a precautionary measure. There were no injuries, and the event posed no risk to the health or safety of the public or the environment.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
2018
BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc.
Date of event: August 8, 2018
Nuclear fuel fabrication facility, Toronto, Ontario
BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. has reported to the CNSC, per regulatory requirements, that the company activated its emergency plan on August 8, 2018, in response to an extended power outage at its Toronto facility. There was no health or safety risk posed to the public or employees. Power has been restored to the area and the plant has returned to normal operations.
Visit BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. website for more information.
Cameco
Date of the event: August 8, 2018
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
Per regulatory requirements, Cameco has reported to the CNSC that on August 8, 2018, Cameco’s emergency response team was activated as a result of localized flooding at the company’s Port Hope location. There were no injuries and no impact to the environment.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Date of the event: January 11, 2018
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
As per regulatory requirements, Cameco reported to the CNSC that a transfer pipe was damaged at the uranium conversion facility in Port Hope, Ontario, resulting in a small amount of contaminated groundwater entering the storm water system. Cameco halted the groundwater flow and has reported that no measurable impact to the environment occurred as a result of the incident.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
2017
Cameco
Date of the event: December 1, 2017
Cameco Fuel Manufacturing Facility, Port Hope, Ontario
As per regulatory requirements, Cameco reported to the CNSC that a small fire had occurred at its Port Hope facility. The fire was quickly extinguished and there was no impact on employees or the environment.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of the event: October 18, 2017
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
As per regulatory requirements, Cameco reported to the CNSC that a small fire had occurred at Cameco’s uranium conversion facility in Port Hope, Ontario. Emergency personnel responded and the fire was quickly extinguished. There were no releases to the environment, and no injuries to workers.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc.
Date of event: May 29, 2017
Nuclear fuel fabrication facility, Toronto, Ontario
BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. reported to the CNSC, as per regulatory requirements, that a fire alarm had been triggered at the Toronto plant and resulted in a sprinkler head activating. Toronto Fire Services responded and determined that there was no fire.
Visit BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. website for more information.
Cameco
Date of the event: May 5, 2017
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
As per regulatory requirements, Cameco reported to the CNSC that a small amount of hydrogen fluoride (HF) fumes escaped from a transfer tank within the uranium hexafluoride plant at the Port Hope Conversion Facility. The facility’s systems activated and operated as designed to control the HF. There was no measurable impact to the environment as a result of this incident.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of the event: April 30, 2017
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
As per regulatory requirements, Cameco reported to the CNSC about a small fire in the UO2 plant. Some insulation caught fire, but was immediately extinguished with a portable fire extinguisher. Cameco’s emergency response team was activated to confirm there were no further traces of heat or fire. No employees were injured as a result of this event, and there were no environmental impacts.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of the event: February 19, 2017
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
Cameco reported to the CNSC, per regulatory requirements, that during routine operation a small fluorine leak occurred at the Port Hope Conversion Facility. The facility’s systems activated and operated as designed to control the fluorine leak. There was no measurable impact to the environment as a result of this incident.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of the event: February 2, 2017
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
Cameco reported to the CNSC, per regulatory requirements, that during routine operation a small fluorine leak occurred at the Port Hope Conversion Facility. The facility’s systems activated and operated as designed to control the fluorine leak. There was no measurable impact to the environment as a result of this incident.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of event: January 7, 2017
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
Cameco reported to the CNSC, as per regulatory requirements, that a small leak of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) occurred at the facility. The site's emergency response team was activated, and the leak was isolated. There were no injuries or ingestion of the chemical, and no releases to the environment.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
2016
Cameco
Date of event: September 4, 2016
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
Cameco reported to the CNSC, as per regulatory requirements, that light smoke was observed coming from the PHCF's cooling water pump house. The site's emergency response team was activated, and an initial investigation indicated that the smoke was the result of operational issues with a pump. The pump was shut down and another pump was put online. There was no release to the environment.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of event: June 15, 2016
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
Cameco reported to the CNSC, as per regulatory requirements, that ductwork and related objects that were sent from Cameco Fuel Manufacturing to Port Hope Conversion Facility for decontamination had surface level contamination which exceeded regulatory levels for the transportation method that was used. There was no release to the environment.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of event: April 1, 2016
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
Cameco reported to the CNSC, as per regulatory requirements, that there was a spill of nitric acid solution within its Port Hope Conversion Facility. The spill was quickly detected and contained. This was a non-radiological event, with no significant impact on the local environment. CNSC staff are reviewing Cameco's initial reports and corrective actions.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
Cameco
Date of event: February 4, 2016
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
Cameco reported to the CNSC, as per regulatory requirements, that there was a spill of nitric acid solution within its Port Hope Conversion Facility. The spill was quickly detected and contained. This was a non-radiological event, with no significant impact on the local environment. CNSC staff are reviewing Cameco's initial reports and corrective actions.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
2015
BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. (formerly GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc.)
Date of event: December 23, 2015
Nuclear fuel fabrication facility, Toronto, Ontario
BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. (formerly GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc.) reported that a fire alarm was triggered at BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. Toronto plant as a result of work being done on an elevator. Toronto Fire Services responded to the alarm and verified that there was no fire.
Visit BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. website for more information.
Cameco
Date of event: July 7, 2015
Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF), Ontario
The CNSC was informed by Cameco, in accordance with the regulations and Cameco's licence conditions, of a non-routine event at its Port Hope Conversion Facility, where liquid discharges from a wastewater evaporator stack produced a dry, white substance containing uranium and calcium over portions of a building and the ground. Cameco reports no measurable impact to the environment resulting from this event. CNSC staff will inspect the facility, as well as review Cameco's initial reports and corrective actions taken. As per the CNSC's requirements for public disclosure, Cameco has posted information regarding this event.
Visit Cameco's website for more information.
BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. (formerly GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc.)
Date of event: February 17, 2015
Nuclear fuel fabrication facility, Toronto, Ontario
BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. (formerly GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc.) reported a leak in a fire sprinkler water pipe.
Visit BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. for more information.
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