The following report was received via e-mail:
On December 14, 2008, the Agency received notification that while restarting the line production the operator noted that a NDC model 103 backscatter probe was reading erratically. An operator standing on the first leveled looking up at the probe, which was located on the second level thought he saw a piece of tape on the end of the probe. Upon closer inspection, the operator believed that the probe had been damaged and requested assistance. The facility Radiation Safety Officer had the area around the probe evacuated. Further investigation determined that the probe shutter was in the closed position. The probe was removed by the facilities Hazardous Material Team and placed in a locked storage location. A technician from the manufacturer inspected the probe and determined that the shutter mechanism was operating properly. He removed the shutter and installed it on a spare probe. The old probe was sent to the manufacturer for inspection and repair. The manufacturer inspected the probe and performed a leak test of the source. The source did not appear to have been damaged, and the leak test results were satisfactory. The probe was returned to the facility after some routine repairs.
Texas Incident: I-8463