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Press Release-III-08-001: NRC Proposes $3,250 Fine for Violation Associated with Theft of Nuclear Gauge from Southfield, Mich., Firm
	ML080140364
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Issue date:	01/14/2008
From:	; Office of Public Affairs Region II
To:	;
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	Press Release-III-08-001
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No. III-08-001

Contacts:

January 14, 2008

E-Mail: opa3@nrc.gov

Web site: www.nrc.gov

NRC PROPOSES $3,250 FINE FOR VIOLATION ASSOCIATED WITH THEFT

OF NUCLEAR GAUGE FROM SOUTHFIELD, MICH., FIRM

The U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed a $3,250 fine against Tyme

Engineering, Inc., of Southfield, Mich., for failing to properly secure a nuclear moisture-density

gauge which was stolen in September 2007.

The gauge contained sealed radiation sources of americium-241 and cesium-137. Such

gauges are used at construction sites to measure the moisture content and compaction of soil and

foundation materials.

NRC inspectors determined that a Tyme Engineering employee had not properly secured

the gauge in the bed of a pickup truck parked at the companys facility on Sept. 15, 2007. The

gauge was discovered to be missing on Sept. 18.

The NRC considers the loss of licensed material significant, said Regional

Administrator James Caldwell, in notifying the company of the fine. The loss of the gauge could

result in unintended radiation doses to members of the public if the sealed sources are moved

from the locked and shielded position.

NRC regulations require that such gauges be secured by a minimum of two independent

security systems. The Tyme Engineering employee, however, failed to follow NRC requirements

and company procedures and used a single chain to secure the gauges case to the truck bed. In

addition, the companys policies require the gauge to be placed in a locked storage room when

not in use.

The stolen gauge has not been recovered. The radiation sources were locked inside the

gauge in a safe, shielded position, and the case itself was also locked. The gauge does not

represent a safety hazard unless the device is tampered with and the radiation sources exposed.

Tyme Engineering has until Feb. 6 to pay the fine or to protest it. If the fine is protested

and subsequently imposed by the NRC staff, the company may request a hearing.

NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Region III

2443 Warrenville Road

Lisle IL 60532

The letter notifying the company of the fine and the Notice of Violation are available on

the NRCs web site at:

NRC news releases are available through a free list serve subscription at the following Web address:

http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/listserver.html . The NRC homepage at www.nrc.gov also offers a SUBSCRIBE

link. E-mail notifications are sent to subscribers when news releases are posted to NRC's Web site.

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