Radiographic exposure device (Camera) was left unsecure on the tailgate of a company pickup truck before departing Licensee's local site enroute to the work site at: Huntsman Polymers, 2400 South Grandview Avenue, Odessa,
Texas 79766. The Radiographer Trainer, (deleted), and his Trainee enter into conversation with another company employee and failed to block and brace the device or to secure the device to their truck. They drove out of the shop area and onto the street in front of the office. Approximately 100 yards from the office, the device fell off the tailgate and onto the service road. Approximately 10 minutes later, an
NDT customer enroute to the Licensee's facility came by and noticed the camera in the road. He recovered the device and transported it to the Licensee's Odessa office. The crew was notified by cell phone and returned to the shop. The camera is an Industrial Nuclear Company, Model IR-100 exposure device, Serial No. 4318, containing 80 curies of
iridium 192. The camera was surveyed for external damage and radiation at the shop. No external damage was noted and the results of the radiation survey revealed radiation levels that were the same as when the device had initially been surveyed that day. The exposure device was taken to a safe location, attached to associated equipment and operated to determine if the device had suffered internal damage. No damage was noted as the device operated perfectly. The device was leak tested. Results of this test have not been returned to the company as of October 27, 2003. As corrective action both the Radiographer Trainer and the Trainee have received a written warning under the Licensee's disciplinary policy. Both individuals will be required to participate in several radiation safety programs and be re-tested. The Trainee will be require to attend another 40-hour radiation safety class in December 2003. The Licensee is being cited for: failure to physically secure radioactive material; and failure to make an immediate (24-hour) notice to this Agency. In addition, the Radiographer Trainer will also be cited for failure to secure the device. Escalated Enforcement actions have been recommended which will include assessment of an Administrative penalty for the Licensee.