The following report was received via fax:
Event Description: On May 24, 2010, the licensee's nuclear gauge operator was working on the road leading to the Pinegrove State Correctional Institution (PSCI). The gauge operator left the jobsite and pulled onto Route 286. While the gauge operator was sitting in traffic, it was noticed that the tailgate was open and the gauge was gone. The gauge operator and local highway construction workers looked for the gauge.
A guard from PSCI left work at 1400hrs. While traveling on SR 286 in Indiana County. The guard noticed the yellow transport box with radiation symbols along side of the roadway. The guard loaded the box onto a truck and took it to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) barracks in Indiana, PA. The label noted it contained Cesium-137, thus the PSP requested a local Hazardous Material Team come to the barracks and survey the container.
Radiation levels appeared normal. The evening of May 24th the PSP, the licensee and a gauge service provider were contacted by DEP [Department of Environmental Protection] Bureau of Radiation Protection [BRP] to assess the situation at the barracks, secure the nuclear gauge, and arrange for the licensee to meet DEP/BRP staff at the PSP barracks the next day to examine the gauge and move it to the licensee's PA facility. Regional DEP staff met the licensee on [May 25th] to perform a radiation survey and conduct an interview. The gauge was released to the licensee by PSP.
Cause of the Event: The gauge was not secured in the vehicle, and the tailgate was left open as the operator drove the vehicle.
Actions: DEP performed an investigation on May 25, 2010. After the investigation, the PSP returned the gauge to the licensee. DEP will continue to review the licensee's actions related to this event.
Event report number: PA100005