The following information was provided by the licensee via phone:
On October 10, 2023, at about 1000 EDT in College Park, Maryland, the licensee was performing industrial radiography on pipe welds in a ditch using a QSA Global 880 machine with a 54 curie Ir-192 source. The licensee, Testing Technologies Inc, is headquartered in Virginia but operates in Maryland under an NRC license.
While attempting to retract the source, it became detached from the drive cable. The licensee shielded the area until they eventually retrieved the source to its safe storage position later that afternoon. No exposure to workers or public occurred from this event. The source detachment was reported to the manufacturer and is under investigation.
- * * UPDATE ON 10/13/23 AT 0744 EDT FROM ROBERT KOLBENSTETTER TO THOMAS HERRITY * * *
The following is a synopsis of information provided by the license via email:
The radiography was being performed in a 14 foot deep trench. While conducting an exposure the crank moved only 1/2 turn, the radiographer attempted to retract the source but was unsuccessful. The area was secured, with boundaries at 2 millirem/hr. The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) was contacted at 0940. He arrived approximately 30 minutes later. After assessing the situation, additional equipment and shielding were brought to the site. Six entries to the restricted area were made by the RSO with a total dose of: whole body =130 millirem, left hand = 205 millirem, right hand = 130 millirem. The RSO is the only individual who entered the area during the retrieval operation. No other employee or member of the public were exposed. The serial number of the unit is: 6011. TTI has also notified the State of VA Dept. of Health, State of Maryland Department of the Environment, QSA Global (the manufacturer), and the University of Maryland RSO.
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