ENS 56233
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
15:15 Oct 7, 2022 | |
| Title | Damaged Troxler Gauge |
| Event Description | The following information was provided by the The Arkansas Department of Health (The Department) via email:
The Department received notification on October 7, 2022, from licensee GTS, Inc., that a Troxler gauge model 3430 had been rolled over by a bulldozer while performing routine measurements at a construction site. As a result of the incident, the source was pulled from its testing position and exposed. The technician created a thirty (30) foot containment barrier and notified his company's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). The RSO mobilized to the event location and contacted the Department. The Department's inspectors visited the licensee on October 7, 2022, to investigate the event. Surveys at the exterior of the transport container were determined to be 3 to 5 mR per hour. Surveys performed inside of the transport container were measured to be a maximum of 27 mR per hour at a location close to the surface of the shielded source. The RSO returned the handle to the 'safe position' and both radiation sources were placed in the transport box. The gauge was transported back to the designated radiation storage area located at the GTS Little Rock Office in Alexander, Arkansas. The gauge was swabbed for a leak test and then sealed in its transport case and secured in the storage area. Sand and additional temporary screening were installed surrounding the area. GTS then contacted Instrotek Companies for disposal options. On November 9, 2022, the gauge was shipped back to the manufacturer. The licensee performed leak tests of the sources, surveys of the gauge transport container, and surveys of the storage location. The Occupational Radiation Exposure Report from October 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, shows 0 mrem for the RSO and technicians. Leak test certificates showed no leakage. Upon review of the licensee's 30 day report, received November 16, 2022, it was noted that the dosimetry badge worn by the RSO during the retraction and transportation of the source showed no measurable dose. The report contained leak test results for the sources both on the day of the event, October 7, 2022, and after the event on November 1, 2022. The results for the leak tests in both instances were measured to be below 185 becquerel (0.005 microcuries). On October 10, 2022, the company conducted a thorough review of the incident and a safety session was held with the gauge operator involved in the incident prior to the operator returning to field work using a nuclear density gauge. The session included collaborative thinking and planning in performing nuclear density testing safety on unique job sites, especially those with confined work environments. Additional topics discussed included utilizing verbal communication with equipment operators prior to accessing a work area, utilizing a 'spotter' while performing testing, and always maintaining possession and visual observation of a nuclear density gauge while the gauge is not inside the transport case in the vehicle. The Department considers this event to be closed. Arkansas Event Number: AR-2022-008 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Gts, Inc. Little Rock, Arkansas (NRC Region 4) | |
| License number: | ARK-0995-03121 |
| Organization: | Arkansas Department Of Health |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+1008.27 h42.011 days <br />6.002 weeks <br />1.381 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Susan Elliot 16:31 Nov 18, 2022 |
| NRC Officer: | Ernest West |
| Last Updated: | Nov 18, 2022 |
| 56233 - NRC Website | |
Gts, Inc. with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 562332022-10-07T15:15:0007 October 2022 15:15:00
[Table view]Agreement State Damaged Troxler Gauge ENS 539162019-03-05T06:00:0005 March 2019 06:00:00 Agreement State Agreement State Report - Troxler Gauge Destroyed When Run Over 2022-10-07T15:15:00 | |