ENS 49474
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
21:30 Oct 25, 2013 | |
| Title | Agreement State Report - Moisture Density Gauge Damaged by Excavator |
| Event Description | The following Agreement State Report was received via email:
On October 25, 2013, at approximately 1430 [PDT], Fazel Barmaki, RSO [Radiation Safety Officer] of Fazel Barmaki, RML 7923-37, contacted [California Radiologic Health Branch] RHB Brea concerning their moisture/density gauge, CPN model MC-3, S/N M321106780 (with 10 mCi Cs-137 and 50 mCi Am-241/Be sources) that had been run over by an excavator and damaged while performing measurements at a construction site at 1186 N Ridgeline Rd., Orange, CA. A [California State] ICE RAM-South inspector arrived at the scene to assess the situation and to verify the integrity of the sources. The inspector observed the scene and was able to determine that the Cs-137 source was in the shielded position and the Am-241/Be source was still in the shielded housing. Wipe tests taken at the scene were surveyed and were found to be at background, indicating that the sources were not leaking. The rest of the gauge was inspected and it was observed that the hand and guide tube had broken off from the housing and the electronics were smashed and broken off of the gauge. Despite the damage to the non-radioactive parts, the shielding appeared to be undamaged, and the housing was placed in the transport case. A survey was performed on the transport case while using a Victoreen CHP-450. The highest dose rate on contact with the transport case was 1.8 mR/hr and 0.3 mR/hr at one foot, with a background of 0.01 mR/hr. These dose rates are consistent with a CPN MC-3 moisture density gauge. The RSO was interviewed by the [California State] inspector who stated that, between taking readings, he was observing the excavator as it was moving while standing near the gauge, making sure to maintain position between the excavator and gauge. While observing the excavator, the excavator made a sudden move toward him and he had to jump out of the way to prevent being run-over and the gauge was run over, causing the damage to the gauge. After checking on the damage, the RSO then immediately contacted RHB to report the incident. Since the radiation surveys indicated the dose rates were consistent with an intact and operational CPN MC-3 gauge and no leakage was indicated by an inspection of the integrity of the shielding and wipe tests at the scene of the incident, the RSO was allowed to return the gauge to their storage location at [in Escondido, CA.], for storage until the gauge can be sent to a service provider or CPN for repair or replacement. The [State's] investigation will be ongoing to determine if licensee will be cited. This is being reported to the NRC Operations Center as a 24 hour2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> report under 10 CFR 30.5(b)(2) since the gauge cannot be locked in the shielded position (due to the source rod being sheared off from the gauge) despite the fact that the Cs-137 source is in the shielded position since it was in the shielded position at the time of the incident. California Report Number: 102513 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Fazel Barmaki Orange, California (NRC Region 4) | |
| Organization: | California Radiation Control Prgm |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+-0.15 h-0.00625 days <br />-8.928571e-4 weeks <br />-2.0547e-4 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Andrew Taylor 21:21 Oct 25, 2013 |
| NRC Officer: | John Shoemaker |
| Last Updated: | Oct 25, 2013 |
| 49474 - NRC Website | |
Fazel Barmaki with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 494742013-10-25T21:30:00025 October 2013 21:30:00
[Table view]Agreement State Agreement State Report - Moisture Density Gauge Damaged by Excavator 2013-10-25T21:30:00 | |