ENS 54784
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
20:30 Jul 14, 2020 | |
| Title | Agreement State Report - Gauge Crushed with Source Rod Extended |
| Event Description | The following was received from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA; the Agency) via email:
At approximately 1530 CDT on July 14, 2020, the Agency was contacted by the RSO [(Radiation Safety Officer)] /owner of Construction & Geotechnical Material Testing (IL-02179-01) regarding a Troxler 3440 gauge [s/n: 24805; containing 8 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241] that was run over and crushed by an operator running a roller on a construction site at 1514 Main Street in Lombard. The RSO reported that operations had stopped and that he needed guidance to get the source rod out. At 1550 CDT, the Agency contacted the licensee for details and to provide guidance. The gauge user was uninjured but the gauge was run over and destroyed. At the time of the incident it was confirmed that the source rod was extended into the ground and a measurement was in process. The gauge user immediately notified personnel in the area and cordoned off the area. The gauge user then notified his RSO, who then notified Troxler (their emergency contact) and IEMA as per their emergency procedures. The RSO immediately went to the scene. He stated that he verified the security of the scene. He did not believe that the source rod was bent. The RSO stated that he was headed back to his office for a survey meter. Agency inspectors reviewed concerns regarding exposure from the Cs-137 source and the possibility of a leaking source with the RSO. Procedures were reviewed for surveys of the area once the gauge was removed to ensure the Cs-137 source had not become dislodged and that the source was not leaking. The Agency offered to dispatch inspectors to assist; however, the licensee had the gauge manufacturer engaged and able to respond. The gauge manufacturer responded to the scene at approximately 1700 CDT and confirmed the source rod was unbent and able to be shielded. Both the Am-241 and the Cs-137 sources were confirmed as present and intact. The gauge was safely repackaged into the Troxler case by Troxler personnel and the TI [Transport Index] confirmed as 0.3. This information was confirmed with pictures sent to the Agency. Troxler personnel performed surveys of the area to confirm the source was removed and that there was no contamination/leakage. Both sources (Cs-137 and Am-241) were placed into the Troxler transport container without incident. Both Troxler and the licensee performed surveys of the site prior to departing and after packaging the damaged source. At 1830, the licensee confirmed background readings at the site and the gauge was transported back to Troxler. The gauge will be leak tested and then shipped to Troxler in North Carolina for disposal. This matter will remain open pending receipt of leak tests, additional gauge information, documentation of disposal, and required written reports. Illinois Item Number: IL200011 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Illinois Emergency Mgmt. Agency Bensenville, Illinois (NRC Region 3) | |
| License number: | IL-02179-01 |
| Organization: | Illinois Emergency Mgmt. Agency |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+38.3 h1.596 days <br />0.228 weeks <br />0.0525 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Gary Forsee 10:48 Jul 16, 2020 |
| NRC Officer: | Ossy Font |
| Last Updated: | Jul 16, 2020 |
| 54784 - NRC Website | |
Illinois Emergency Management Agency with Agreement State | |||
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