On 12/13/10 at 1500 EST,
North Carolina State University [NCSU] was conducting routine radiography with the reactor at 1MW when unknown to the technician, the shutter stuck open. The technician entered the shielded room and noticed the shutter wasn't closed and immediately left the exposure room. After the technician left the room and secured the area, he notified other personnel including the control room.
NCSU reports that the reactor was shut down by the operator because of this event. After the reactor was shut down, personnel entered the room and closed the shutter. The shutter door interlock had malfunctioned due to a mechanical interference. It was noted that the technician was not wearing personal dosimetry.
NCSU estimates (based on cameras and a re-enactment conducted with the technician) that the technician was exposed for a maximum of 18 seconds with a resulting dose rate of about 150 mRem.
NCSU corrective actions include a research reactor shutdown, closing of the radiography shutter, installing interlocks to prevent shielded room access with the shutter not fully closed, and safety training of personnel related to use of the radiography facility.
NCSU is making this report in accordance with their research reactor technical specifications.