The following was received from the State of
Louisiana via email:
[On] 08/16/2017, [at] 1315 [CDT], [the RSO for Turner Specialty Services] called the Radiation Section of LDEQ [Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality] to report a source retrieval that occurred on 08/15/2017 [at] 2215 [CDT] at SALSOL CHEMICALS. The report was forwarded to the inspection staff on 08/17/2017.
The camera was being setup initially to be used on this temporary jobsite at the Chemical Plant. The equipment evaluation and jobsite was being prepared for the radiographic exposures. The exposure device mis-connect/disconnect incident happened on the initial exposure crankout. The source remained in the collimator until the source could be manually returned to the shielded position. The equipment is a QSA Global Exposure device, Model 880 Delta, S/N D6149 loaded with 61.2 Ci Ir-192 source. The source is an AEA Technology Model A-424-9.
This licensee is approved for source retrievals under their O&E Safety Procedures. The RSO and associates were able to return the source to the shielded position with minimal personnel exposures. A retrieval crew was assembled and they were able to retrieve the source and return it to the shielded position. After the source was in the shielded position, a Go/NoGo test and a misconnect test were performed on the controls and exposure device. Two radiographers and a site RSO conducted the retrieval activities. The retrieval process was safely completed later on the night of 08/15/2017. The individuals involved in the retrieval were wearing Instadose Personnel monitors that recorded exposures of [approximately] 250 mRem. The source assembly was sent to QSA Global, Inc. for further evaluation. Any adverse results of the evaluation will be forwarded as additional information.
There was no threat of radiation exposures to the SALSOL CHEMICALS employees or any adverse threat to the Health and Safety to the general public.
Event Report ID No.: LA170013