The following was received from the State of
Texas via email:
On November 3, 2014, the Agency was notified by the licensee's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) that one of his crews was unable to retract a 34.9 curie cobalt-60 source into a QSA Global 680A exposure device. The crew was performing radiography at a field site [in Houston, TX] using a magnetic stand to support the guide tube and collimator. The stand fell on the guide tube crimping the guide tube in two places about one inch apart. The radiographer attempted to retract the source, but it would not go past the crimped section of the guide tube. The radiographer returned the source to the collimator.
One of the radiographers contacted the site RSO(SRSO). A recovery team was sent to the location to retrieve the source. The team slid a steel plate below the collimator. The guide tube was pulled to free the collimator from its holder causing it to drop onto the steel plate. The collimator was approached from the shielded side and using a pair of tongs, the collimator was rolled to face the outlet port towards the steel plate. Six bags of lead shot were placed on the collimator. The dose rate at the crimped section of the guide tube was then measured at 200 millirem per hour. Additional bags of lead shot were placed on the collimator. The licensee's first attempt to remove the crimps in the guide tube using channel locks was unsuccessful. The licensee then removed the outer coating on the guide tube in the areas the tube was crimped and then used channel locks to remove the crimps. This was successful and the source was returned to the fully shielded position.
The highest exposure to any individual involved in the event was seven millirem. The licensee reported no exposures were received to members of the general public due to this event. The guide tube was taken out of service. The exposure device and crankout device were inspected and returned to service. The source was leak tested, but the results have not been received.
Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300.
Texas Incident #: I-9250