The following information was obtained from the State of
Arkansas via email:
On June 1, 2009 at 1600, the licensee notified the Department [Arkansas Department of Health] that while retracting the source after a shot, the source stopped and could not be retracted into the camera and could not be moved into the collimator. This occurred at 1545. The radiography is conducted inside an open top and open ended cell at the facility. The radiography crew evacuated the cell area, adjacent work areas and established a 2 mR/hr boundary around the cell. Observing from the far end of the cell, the radiography crew established that the piece of pipe being radiographed fell from the work table onto the guide tube. The radiography crew notified the State of Arkansas and also QSA Global in Baton Rouge, LA.
The State of Arkansas sent two Health Physicists to the facility. [They arrived] at 2320 and remained on site throughout the source retrieval.
QSA Global responded to the site at 0030 on the morning of June 2, 2009. Using portable shielding and standard radiation safety practices, QSA Global personnel were able to move the source into the collimator, cut out the crimped guide tube, and return the source to the camera at 0230 on the morning of June 2.
The Camera involved: Industrial Nuclear Company, Inc., Model IR-100, Serial Number 4150.
The Source involved: QSA Global, Model 87703, Serial 49390B, manufactured on April 8, 2009 and contained 64 Curies at the time of the incident.
The Camera has been taken out of service for repair and inspection.
The State of Arkansas is awaiting a report from QSA Global and the licensee.
- * * UPDATE FROM STEVE MACK TO HOWIE CROUCH (VIA EMAIL) ON 6/22/09 @ 1005 EDT * * *
The State has received written reports from the licensee with corrective actions and from QSA Global regarding the response and source retrieval.
Doses to the source retrieval team were 18 mR and 11 mR as noted on the electronic dosimeters.
After retrieval of the source, DU [Depleted Uranium] contamination was noted in the guide tube. The licensee is currently working to evaluate and replace cameras due to probable 'S' tube wear.
The Department considers this event to be closed.
Notified
FSME (McIntosh) and R4DO (Powers).