A
Troxler model 3440 portable gauging device (serial number 66163, containing approximately 8 milliCuries of
cesium-137, and approximately 40 milliCuries of americium-241/beryllium) was hit by a bull dozer at a temporary jobsite. The source rod containing the
Cs-137 source was not extended and remained in the shielded position. The case was cracked but the
americium source was not damaged. The
RSO arrived at the site and the survey results did not show evidence of contamination. The damaged
gauge was placed in the transport case and removed from the jobsite.
Utah Event Number: UT-120004
- * * UPDATE FROM PHILIP GRIFFIN TO JOHN KNOKE AT 1926 EDT ON 11/01/12 * * *
The following information was provided by the State of Utah via email:
The licensee's RSO reported to the Division that one of the licensee's gauge operators was at a temporary job site to perform soil moisture density measurements on October 15, 2012. As the gauge operator was preparing to make the first measurement, he looked behind him and saw a bulldozer coming towards him. The gauge operator was able to avoid being run over by the bulldozer, but the portable gauge was run over and damaged. The operator informed the licensee's RSO of the incident, and the RSO went to the temporary job site to investigate the incident. According to the RSO, there were other drivers in other vehicles at the job site when the incident occurred. They had honked their horns to get the attention of the bulldozer driver, but they could not.
After clearing everyone out of the area, the RSO verified that the 8 mCi Cs-137 source was in the safe, shielded position, and that the 40 mCi Am-241:Be source was intact. The top cover of the gauge was cracked, and the source rod and depth gauge were bent approximately 15 - 20 degrees off vertical. The RSO was able to get the damaged gauge into the transportation package, and the RSO performed a survey of the area of the accident to verify that no contamination was present. Finding none, the RSO took the damaged gauge back to the licensee's facility in Richfield, Utah.
Gauge information: Troxler 3440, s/n 66163
The portable gauge was recently purchased from Troxler in June 2012, and the sources in the gauge had been leak tested by Troxler and no leakage was found.
The incident occurred on 10/15/12 at approximately 2:00 PM. The manager got the message late in the day on 10/18/12.
Notified the R4DO (
Rick Deese) and
FSME Event Resource