The following information is a summary of the information provided by the licensee via email:
On March 22, 2023, the subcontractor was performing grading and compaction of crushed concrete aggregate on the west half of the proposed building pad. The subcontractor had several active pieces of heavy equipment on the jobsite at the time, including a large excavator, a bulldozer, a skid steer loader, a large smooth drum roller, and dump trucks.
While waiting to perform the compaction testing, the gauge operator stepped forward (east) approximately 10 feet to inspect a small excavation where the subcontractor had removed wet soils. At this time, the foreman operating the bulldozer had turned facing the south and began reversing the dozer north along the west edge of the pad. The gauge operator heard the dozer moving closer along the west edge of the building pad and turned to retrieve the gauge. Due to concerns for his safety, the gauge operator was not able to retrieve the gauge prior to the bulldozer's back left track making contact with the gauge.
At the time of contact, the gauge's source rod was in the locked and shielded position. The gauge operator contacted the GME Testing's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and was instructed to follow operating and emergency procedures. The gauge operator responded immediately and had the foreman drive the bulldozer 15 feet north of the area to begin establishing the 15 foot perimeter around the gauge. The gauge sustained visible damage, with the yellow plastic shell cracking and the source rod falling over sideways onto the ground while in the locked and shielded position. The gauge operator quickly inspected the gauge and noted that the source rod remained in the locked position and undamaged inside the lead housing within the gauge, as well as the lead housing showing no signs of damage.
The gauge operator remained with the gauge while securing the 15 feet perimeter and contacting the on-site foreman for the subcontractor, the superintendent for the contractor, and GME Testing's RSO.
Readings were taken at the edge of the 15 foot radius around the
gauge, the 3 foot radius, the 1 foot radius, and on the surface of the
gauge. All readings gathered were within the acceptable range when compared to the the radiation profile of the
gauge, as provided by the manufacturer. The damaged
gauge was securely locked in its shipping case and transported to the GME Testing office.