The following information was received by facsimile:
At approximately 11 am on 6/5/04, a watering truck on a housing development construction project near Fort Collins, Colorado (County Roads 11, and 52), ran over a Troxler moisture density gauge (Troxler model 3430; Serial # 28846) owned by Terracon (Colorado Specific License #664-02). The gauge was being used for soil compaction measurements but was in the safe (up) position when it was run over. The technician responsible for using the gauge was reported to be in close proximity to the gauge at the time of the incident but may have had the gauge to his right and not in direct frontal view. As a result of the incident, the index rod was knocked off and the source rod above the unit casing was bent at a 90 degree angle but remained attached to the unit. The gauge casing was described to be mostly intact (i.e. not fully crushed) with the exception of damage to the display. Discussions with the RSO indicated that the gauge source was believed to have remained within the internal shielding following the incident.
The RSO for Terracon reported to the scene at approximately 11:50 am (6/5/04) and performed initial radiation measurements of the gauge. The initial radiation measurements on scene indicated values of approximately 1.0. millirem/hour on/near the surface of the gauge and 0.2 [millirem/hr] at 1 meter. The gauge was placed in the transport case and returned to the Terracon main offices located at 301 North Howes, Fort Collins, CO, 80521. The damaged gauge (in the case) was placed in an outbuilding located near the main office and was secured and the area posted per the RSO. The Department mandated that a leak test be performed prior to shipment of the gauge to a repair facility - results are pending.
Based upon the nature of the incident and the position of the source and rod as, described by the
RSO, the source is believed to be intact with no release to the environment or personnel or public exposure. A written report from the licensee is expected within 30 days.