The following information was received from the State of
Texas via email:
On November 22, 2013, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was notified by the licensee that on November 20, 2013, one of their crews performing radiography work was unable to retract the iridium-192 source into a QSA 880D camera. The radiography crew was performing radiography work on a job that required the use of an extension tube sold by the manufacturer for use with the guide tube. On the fifth of five shots, the source was cranked out of the camera, but when they attempted to retract it, it would not move. The radiographers contacted the licensee's Radiation Safety Officer who responded to the location. The RSO attempted to retract the source and he could not get the source to move. The source was stuck inside the collimator. The RSO dismantled the crank out device and pulled on the drive cable to move the source, but it would not move. The RSO removed the guide tube from its location and placed it on the grating of the platform they were working from. The source was covered with lead to reduce exposures. The barricade was extended and other licensee personnel who were also working at the plant were used to control access to the area. The RSO removed the drive cable housing from the back of the camera and attempted to pull on the cable and retract the source. It did not move. The RSO stated he inspected the locking device and it appeared to be fine. The RSO loosened the clamp that was being used to hold the guide tube extension in place while they were shooting. The source could then be retracted and was returned to the fully shielded position. The RSO believes that over time the extension guide tube walls had weakened and collapsed to a point where the source/drive cable could not pass through it. The RSO stated no one had exceeded any limits. He stated his 0-200 millirem self-reading dosimeter (SRD) had gone off scale, but his assistant's SRD only read 140 millirem. The RSO stated he would send both his and his assistant's dosimetry to their processors for reading. No other individuals received any exposure due to this event. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300.
Texas Incident #: I-9137