The following was reported by the State of Nevada:
An authorized user (AU) and portable nuclear gauge were run over by grader while using the gauge. The AU and gauge were blocked from the driver's view by the grader wheel. The AU was exposed to the source for approximately thirty (30) minutes while the source rod was extended. The source rod remained intact however it cannot be pulled back into the shielded position due to the bent source rod.
The radiation safety officer (RSO) placed the source rod into a concrete cylinder to limit the dose to responders. Then the gauge and the cylinder were placed in a fifty-five (55) gallon drum. It was sealed and transported back to the storage facility. The licensee is working with Troxler to make arrangements to return the gauge.
On contact readings of the transport drum were no higher than 0.6 mR/hr and 0.260 mR/hr at one meter. No contamination was found on the gauge, shipping container or the RSO's hands.
The licensee has been requested to ship the AU's dosimeter for immediate processing due to the long exposure. Will update AU exposure once results are received. The AU is expected to recover.
Nevada Item Number: NV210006.
- * * UPDATE ON 5/6/21 AT 1149 EDT FROM COREY CREVELING TO THOMAS HERRITY * * *
The following information was received from the State of Nevada via E-mail:
The State of Nevada Radiation Control Program received notification that the authorized user reported in Event Number 55233, that was struck by a grader while using a portable gauge died on May 5, 2021.
Nevada Item Number: NV210006.
Notified R4DO (Deese), IRMOC (Gott) and NMSS Coordinator (Rivera-Capella). NMSS Events Notification via email.
- * * UPDATE ON 5/6/21 AT 1909 EDT FROM COREY CREVELING TO THOMAS HERRITY * * *
The following information was received from the State of Nevada via E-mail:
This is to follow up from our discussion earlier this morning and I have attached the AU's dosimetry report as requested. Based on the report, exposure did not contribute to his death, and the Nevada Radiation Control Program will not be issuing a press release. As of right now the cause of death remains related to injuries from being struck by the road grader.
The radiation dosimetry report for period April 4, 2021 to June 30, 2021 showed 3 mRem.
Notified R4DO (Deese); IRMOC (Gott),
NMSS (Rivera-Capella), and
NMSS Events Notification via email.