ENS 44631
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
00:24 Nov 5, 2008 | |
| Title | Agreement State - Lost Troxler Gauge |
| Event Description | The following information was provided by the state via facsimile:
The following information was reported to the Radiation Management Unit (RMU) of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) by the acting RSO of a Colorado Licensee - Earth Engineering Consultants, Inc (EEC) - pertaining to a lost/stolen moisture density gauge. [On November 04, 2008] After taking a series of density tests of aggregate base course material for a new roadway on Jacoby Farms 5th Filing development project in Windsor, Colorado, (site location is on the north side of State Highway 392 and east 17th Street in Windsor, CO), the field technician placed gauge on his bumper, transferred the results onto his field paperwork, visited with the project supervisor and discussed the results, then entered his truck to complete additional paperwork, and received a call on his cell phone for his next project assignment. Time elapsed and the technician failed to secure the gauge back into the lock box within the pick-up truck. After realizing his dilemma, the technician immediately stopped the truck and began a search for the missing gauge. Phone calls were made to the project foreman, and an extensive search took place re-tracking the steps and paths taken. [The licensee] called the Health Department Radiation [Management Unit] and left several messages informing the state [of the missing Troxler]. At approximately 11:45 AM on 11/5/08, CDPHE RMU followed up with the licensee via phone regarding the incident, at that time the licensee reported that he believed that the gauge had been recovered/found and had been dropped off at an area fire department by a member of the public last evening (11/4/08). The licensee indicated they were sending someone to the fire department to verify this and retrieve the gauge. The licensee indicated that the gauge was scratched but appeared to be intact and confirmed they would inspect the gauge and survey it. The licensee indicated that they would be sending the gauge to a local gauge repair company for leak testing and repair (as applicable). The CDPHE RMU is awaiting final confirmation/information from the licensee.
The following information was provided by the state via facsimile: At approximately 13:15 hours [MST on 11/5/08] the Radiation Management Unit (RMU) of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) received confirmation that the moisture density gauge lost during the evening of 11/4/08 has been recovered and is now in possession of the licensee. The gauge and its radioactive materials were out of the licensee control for less than 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />. During a portion of the time the gauge was missing it was in the possession of a local fire department. The CDPHE RMU does not expect any impact to any members of the public as a result of the temporarily lost gauge due to the short duration of possession. Upon recovery, the licensee performed a visual inspection and radiological survey and has confirmed that the radioactive materials are present and intact. The gauge has been transferred to a local licensed gauge service provider where a leak test and through examination will be performed. Notified the R4DO (Campbell), FSME (Suber), and ILTAB via e-mail. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Earth Engineering Consultants, Inc. Windsor, Colorado (NRC Region 4) | |
| License number: | 867-01 |
| Organization: | Colorado Dept Of Health |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+12.98 h0.541 days <br />0.0773 weeks <br />0.0178 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | James Jarvis 13:23 Nov 5, 2008 |
| NRC Officer: | Jason Kozal |
| Last Updated: | Nov 5, 2008 |
| 44631 - NRC Website | |
Earth Engineering Consultants, Inc. with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 446312008-11-05T00:24:0005 November 2008 00:24:00
[Table view]Agreement State Agreement State - Lost Troxler Gauge 2008-11-05T00:24:00 | |