The following was received from the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (
DEP) [the Department] via email:
The Department received notification from a licensee on October 6, 2021, of a radiography source from a QSA 880 Delta Industrial Radiography device containing a 91 curie Ir-192 source that was unable to retract. The source had been exposed to check a weld and when the radiographer tried to retract the source, the slide would not lock the source in. The radiographer approached the set-up with a meter and noticed the readings were high, so he retreated. The area was roped off and put under surveillance by the Assistant Radiographer and Radiographer. The Radiographer also noticed his direct read dosimeter was off scale and so he remained outside the boundary. His dosimetry will be sent for emergency processing and he will be restricted from radiography work until his results are received.
The licensee dispatched a Radiation Safety Officer [RSO] with source retrieval authorization to recover the source. The source was secured later the same morning of the event. The RSO received 60 millirem and his assistant received 20 millirem. The RSO's ring dosimeter will be sent out with the Radiographer badge for emergency processing. The DEP is currently in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided.
Pennsylvania Event Report ID Number: PA210013
- * * UPDATE ON 10/18/2021 AT 1042 EDT FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO BRIAN LIN * * *
The following was received from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) via email:
Emergency processing of thermoluminescence detectors for the radiographer and assistant radiographer has been completed. The radiographer received approximately 9.3 rem and the assistant radiographer received approximately 2 rem. The licensee is continuing to monitor the radiographer's hands for erythema, as it was determined that the radiographer handled the guide tube and collimator with the 91 curie Ir-192 source in an unshielded position. Both workers have been put on mandatory leave and the licensee has committed to mandatory re-training of employees. A reactive inspection by the Department was conducted on October 12, 2021, and the licensee has gone through dose reconstruction and event re-enactments to determine how the disconnect occurred. At this time a bent pin on the control cable seems to be the cause of the event. More details will be provided when known.
Notified R1DO (BICKETT) and
NMSS events Notification group (via email)