The following information was provided by the
Texas Department of Health Services (the Agency) via email:
On December 14, 2022, the Agency was notified by the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) of a potential overexposure event. The RSO reported three of their radiographers were working at a remote site using a 30.4 curie cobalt 60 source. The exposure time for each exposure was two minutes. The distance from the source to the pipe was two feet. During the first exposure, one of the radiographers was between the source and the pipe being tested. The RSO stated the individual stayed in the area for about one minute. The radiographer operating the source was standing behind a brick wall and was unaware of the individual being in the area. The operator thought the others had cleared the area, and it was safe to perform the exposure. The individual who received the exposures stated the noise in the area was too loud to hear their alarming rate meter. The exposed individual's self-reading dosimeter was off scale. All radiographers' dosimeters have been sent to the licensee's dosimetry processor for reading. The RSO stated their calculations indicated the individual could have received 7 rem from this event. The RSO stated the individual exposed had received 12 millirem prior to this event. All three individuals have been removed from any duties that would require any additional exposure. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300.
Texas Incident no.: 9973
Texas NMED no.: TX220041
- * * UPDATE ON 12/16/22 AT 1522 CST FROM ARTHUR L TUCKER TO LAUREN BRYSON * * *
On December 16, 2022, the licensee reported they had received the badge reading for the individual involved in this event. The Deep Dose Equivalent (DDE) on the badge was 5,450 millirem bringing the individuals DDE total for the year to 5,662 millirem. The Agency has requested the licensee determine if the badge was worn in the highest dose field during the event. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300.
Notified R4DO (Drake) and
NMSS Events Notification via email.