The following was received from the State of
Ohio via e-mail:
Ohio Department of Health (ODH) was informed on 8/27/10 of an incident involving a portable moisture density gauge. The incident occurred on 8/26/10 at a work site in Lima, Ohio. The incident occurred due to operator error on behalf of a BBC&M Engineering, Inc. (BBCM) employee - the employee backed over the gauge with a BBCM truck. BBCM staff followed established company emergency procedures - the area was cordoned off, all other site personnel were kept more than 20 feet away from area, and a BBCM employee stayed in the area until further notice.
BBCM obtained a Radiation Alert Monitor and a lead 'pig' from CTS, Inc. and used the monitor at the project site in the area of the damaged gauge, truck, and original testing location of the gauge. The reading near the gauge (at 1 meter) was 2.0 mrem/hr. All other readings taken at the sire measured only background level readings. The gauge was damaged but the radiation sources were not comprised and/or leaking. As the source rod would not retract into the gauge, BBC&M installed a lead cap ('pig') over the rod tip/source end. The gauge was then transported to BBCM's Dublin, Ohio office to be stored until it can be transported to CTS, Inc. for further inspection.
The gauge contains 0.010 Ci Cs-137 and 0.050 Ci Am/Be sources.
Ohio incident #2010-051.
- * * UPDATE FROM STEPHEN JAMES TO JOHN KNOKE AT 1212 EST ON 11/09/10 * * *
On 11/9/10 ODH inspected licensee and issued Notice of Violation for incident. Licensee has provided additional training for employees. Device was returned to manufacturer for repair.
Source Number: 1
Source/Radioactive Material: SEALED SOURCE GAUGE
Radionuclide or Voltage (kVp/MeV): CS-137
Activity: 0.010 Ci 0.37 GBq
Source Number: 2
Source/Radioactive Material: SEALED SOURCE GAUGE
Radionuclide or Voltage (kVp/MeV): AM-BE
Activity: 0.050 Ci 18.5 GBq
Device Number: 1
Device Name: PORTABLE GAUGE
Manufacturer: TROXLER
Model Number: 3430
Serial Number: 25983
Ohio Item Number: OH100011