At 1122 [EDT], the
RSO [Radiation Safety Officer] for Integrity Testlabs [ITL],
LLC, received a telephone notification from the field radiographer at the client's location that he was unable to retract the source fully into the shielded position. The radiographer attempted to retract the source twice. The radiographer realized the source was not going to get shielded because he noticed that the control cable housing was laying on equipment which was later determined to be approximately 500 degrees F. This melted the control cable housing and in turn prevented the complete retraction of the source into the shielded position. The radiographer kept the source to the fully exposed position within the 4HVL collimator and proceeded to extended the posted radiation area boundaries to 2mR/hr or less, then contacted the
RSO at 1122 [EDT]. The
RSO was approximately 50 miles away and stated he was on his way to assist in the recovery process. The company and
RSO are authorized to perform recovery of sources.
The radiographer then contacted his supervisor, who was the senior radiographer onsite. The supervisor also attempted to retract the source into the shielded position. The supervisor contacted the RSO and explained the situation. By direction from the RSO via telephone communication, the supervisor was able to disconnect the control housing at the remote control crank and pull the control cable so that the source was retracted into the shielded position. The radiography operations were terminated for the day. Surveys were performed after the source was shielded with no unusual readings. All equipment was returned to ITL's facility.
The following self-reading pocket dosimeter readings were recorded at the conclusion of this event. The radiographer and assistant radiographer had performed 6 exposures for the day. The 6 exposures included the event.
Radiographer 100mR
Assistant 20mR
Supervisor 23mR during the recovery process
No radiographic personnel or member of the pubic was overexposed during the entire event.
The affected equipment will be inspected, repaired or replaced, as needed.
A follow report will be submitted to Region I as soon as practical.
Equipment: QSA Global Model 880s #S1667 w/ IR-192 #32053G - 56.5Curies
25Ft Extreme Control Cables with two extreme guide tubes, each guide tube 7ft long and the outer most guide stop having a source stop.
One - 4HVL
Tungsten collimator