The following report was received via fax:
The incident happened on June 8, 2015, and was corrected and under the licensee's control by 0840 CDT. It was not reported to the Department [Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality] until 1150 CDT on June 8, 2015.
A radiography exposure device was left in a company radiography rig parked at the Baton Rouge Metro Airport. A radiographer was flying out of the Baton Rouge Airport after working a job in the field. The radiographer went through security and boarded the plane departing at 0700 CDT. However, the person who was to retrieve the rig with the camera did not arrive at the airport until 0840 CDT. This means the camera alarm system was left unattended for 1 hour1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br /> and 40 minutes.
The IC alarm system for the radiography rig sounds/alarms to a 'key fob' while in the field. One potential responder was in the air with one alarming device and the other alarming device had not made it to the airport. The radiography rig was parked in a parking lot unattended. The rig and camera were retrieved at 0840 CDT the same morning.
The camera was an AEA Delta 880, SN D8086 exposure device loaded with 34 Ci of Ir-192. The camera and the vehicle were locked and secured, but the alarming device was unmanned for approximately 2 hrs.
The Radiation Safety Officer called in his report at approximately 1150 CDT on 06/08/2015. The situation did not result in a radiation incident. However, the potential for a radiation incident or security breach was the problem.
At this time, LDEQ [Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality] considers this incident still open. The incident is still under investigation and review by the staff. Enforcement and corrective actions will be determined by the out-come of the investigation. The incident was considered under control by MISTRAS and reported after the exposure device was back at the MISTRAS'S Geismar, LA location.
Louisiana Report: id No.: LA150009