The following information was received via E-mail:
On March 19, 2010, at 1130 hours0.0131 days <br />0.314 hours <br />0.00187 weeks <br />4.29965e-4 months <br />, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] received a telephone call from the licensee [Structural Metals, Inc. DBA: CMC Steel Texas] stating that the shutter on one of their gauges was stuck. The gauge houses a Cobalt (Co)-60 source. The shutter stuck in the open position, [which is] the normal operating position. Dose rates taken in the area were normal, and the licensee has contacted a repair company to have the shutter fixed sometime next week. The licensee will not be using the gauge until it is fixed, and has agreed to update the Agency as information is received.
Texas Incident #: I-8725
- * * UPDATE ON 3/22/10 AT 1442 FROM TEXAS (ROBERT FREE) TO HUFFMAN * * *
The following information was received from the State of Texas via e-mail:
A Co-60 gauge [was reported by the licensee to have been] damaged by molten steel during a pouring operation. The area was secured from personnel entry until the licensee authorized to conduct recovery operations arrives on site today to begin recovery operation. No model or serial number is available at this time. [The Texas Dept. of Health Radiation Branch] will provide an update as more complete information is available.
- * * UPDATE ON 3/22/10 AT 1744 FROM TEXAS (ROBERT FREE) TO HUFFMAN * * *
The following information was received from the State of Texas via e-mail:
The event description should indicate that there was molten metal splashed or poured over the gauge. The gauge shutter mechanism remained open. The company, Structural Metals (CMC), did not know the status of the gauge until today. The gauge was recovered by a licensed contractor and the shielding was found to be intact. The only damage to the gauge was the mechanism used to open and close the shutter. The gauge will be repaired or replaced.
R4DO (Deese) and
FSME EO (Luehman) notified.