The following information was provided by the state via email:
On 11/9/11 [EST], the licensee reported to the Agency [Massachusetts Radiation Control Program] that a portable moisture density gauge had been damaged by a construction vehicle at a temporary job site. The source rod was bent and extended outside of the shielded gauge body so that it could not be returned to the closed position. The extended rod was left within the measuring hole so that the surrounding soil could provide shielding. A 15-plus-foot radius area was segregated around the damaged gauge. The licensee's radiation safety officer and radiation safety consultant were en route to the site to conduct and oversee the source recovery operation at the time of this report.
The Agency [Massachusetts Radiation Control Program] considers this event to be open and ongoing.
Manufacturer: Humboldt Scientific Inc, 5001 Series; Isotopes: Cs-137/ .011 Ci; Am-241/ .044 Ci.
- * * UPDATE ON 1/26/2012 AT 1307 EST FROM TONY CARPENITO TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
The following report was received via e-mail:
The consultant and licensee submitted follow-up reports. An authorized gauge user was attending to the gauge and could not get the attention of the driver of the vehicle being driven in reverse just before gauge damage occurred. The source rod retracted into the gauge body successfully and the gauge was returned in its transport case to the licensee's facility on 11/9/11. A post-retrieval survey determined no residual contamination in the area. Personnel dosimeters worn during retrieval indicated minimal personnel exposure. The licensee presented employees retraining related to construction site safety on 11/10/11. Leak test results indicated no sealed source leakage. The gauge was returned to manufacturer for repairs.
Manufacturer : Humboldt Scientific, inc.
Model Number : 5001 EZ
Serial Number : 3544
Cesium-137 Source Serial Number : 9433GQ
Americium-241 Be Source Serial Number : NJ03832
The Agency considers this event to be CLOSED.
Notified the R1DO (Dentel) and FSME (McIntosh).
- * * UPDATE ON 2/15/12 AT 0921 EST FROM ANTHONY CARPENITO TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
The following information was received via e-mail:
The Cesium-137 source is an AEA Technology/QSA Model CDC.805, Capsule Type X8.
The Americium-241 source is an AEA Technology/QSA Model AMN.V997, Capsule Type X1.
The Agency still considers this event to be CLOSED.
Notified
FSME (McIntosh) and R1DO (Powell).