The following was received via facsimile from the
Utah Division of Radiation Control:
The Operations Manager of Hales Sand and Gravel reported to the Division of Radiation Control that one of the licensee's gauge operators was at a temporary job site to perform soil moisture density measurements on November 14, 2013. After taking a moisture density measurement, the gauge operator left the gauge sitting on the ground while he walked away to talk to the roller operator. The gauge was left in the backing up path of Hales Sand Gravel's grader (heavy equipment) and was run over.
After everyone was cleared out of the area, the Radiation Safety Officer of Jones & Demille Engineering was contacted to provide a survey instrument. At the time of the incident the radioactive sources were in the safe shielded position. After the gauge was run over, the gauge was broken into two pieces; the source rod was separated from the shielding block but was still in one piece. Upon arrival, the Radiation Safety Officer verified that the radioactive sources were still intact and attached to the source rod.
The Radiation Safety Officer added additional shielding to the source rod to prevent the sources from becoming detached. The Radiation Safety Officer then put the damaged gauge and its pieces into the transportation container. After the gauge was loaded in the truck and removed from the job site, the Radiation Safety Officer performed a survey of the area the accident occurred at to verify that no contamination was present. No contamination was found, and the gauge was returned to its storage area in Elsinore, Utah.
On November 15, 2013, the Division of Radiation Control's inspector arrived at Hales Sand and Gravel's facility at approximately 1230 [MST]. The inspector interviewed personnel involved in the accident and collected statements. The inspector took photographs of the damaged gauge, collected wipe tests, and took surveys of the damaged gauge. The inspector also visited the site of the accident to perform a contamination survey. No readings were distinguishable from background.
Gauge information: Troxler 3430, s/n 31986
Event Report ID Number:
UT 130004