ML19275F774
| ML19275F774 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/14/1980 |
| From: | Brown G, Dawson J, Rucker J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19275F773 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8006050352 | |
| Download: ML19275F774 (4) | |
Text
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g REPORT OF LWESTIGATION IE Investigation Report No. 80-01 State of Texas License No. 2-2163 Licensee:
Southwest X-Ray Kermit, Texas
Subject:
Investigation of Stolen Radiography Source Period of Investigation: April 10, 1980 Investigators:
8~ k-80 Jean M. Dawson, Radiation Specialist Date 0%
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S-/4-go Joan Rucker, Inspector Aide Date
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Reviewed by:
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Glen D. Brown, Chief, Fuel Facility and Material faf[
Safety Branch 80000503 g
REASON FOR INVESTIGATION Region IV received notification of a theft of a 45 curie iridium-192 radio-graphy source in Wyoming or Utah.
Notification was received at 1130 hours0.0131 days <br />0.314 hours <br />0.00187 weeks <br />4.29965e-4 months <br /> on April 8, 1980.
SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION The security system of the Texas State licensee and t'ae status of the search for the stolen radiography source were investigated.
The investigation involved seven hours by one inspector and seven hours by one inspector aide.
SUMMARY
OF FACTS Region IV was notified on April 8, 1980 of the theft of a 45 curie iridium-192 source on April 6 or 7, 1980 from Southwest X-Ray, a Texas State licensee (License No. 2-2163) working under reciprocity in Wyoming and Utah.
One inspector and one inspector aide visited a Southwest X-Ray sales office in Rock Springs, Wyoming on April 10, 1980 to inquire about the security pro-video by Southwest X-Ray and the current status of knowledge concerning the theft.
The licensee stated the radiography camera containing the source was in a locked steel box inside the vehicle darkroom on Sunday evening, April 6, 1980, and was recognized as missing on donday morning April 7, 1980.
There had been media interest. No items of noncompliance were identified during the investigation, the search for the stolen source was continuing with the FBI, Utah Highway Patrol, Utah Health Department, Wyoming Health Department, Wyoming Highway Patrol, Emergency Services for Salt Lake County, and the Salt Lake Sherriffs Department involved.
2 DETAILS 1.
Introduction A 45 curie iriduim-192 radiography source contained in a Gulf Nuclear model RPL-5, P-4 pipeline camera (SN 3524) was reported as stolen to Region IV on April 8, 1980.
An investigation consisted of inquiring about the licensee security system and the current status of the search for the source by law, emergency, and health organizations.
2.
Persons Contacted Allen Monday, Rock Springs, Wyoming Sales Office 3.
Interview of Licensee Represent ~'...e An interview with Allen Monday of the Southwest X-Ray organization on April 10, 1980, was conducted by one inspector and one inspector aide.
The security system being utilized at the time of the theft of the scurce was described as a door lock on the darkroom door and a steel box inside the darkroom containing the source which was locked with a padlock. The door lock, since removed from the door and shown to the investigators, was not working properly and could not be unlocked with the key.
The licensee stated the door was locked at the time of the theft and it was felt the lock no longer worked because of being tampered with in order for unauthorized individuals to obtain entry into the darkroom. The steel box, which had contained the camera and source, was open in the darkroom with the padlock and camera missing.
The licensee stated a copy of the license, regulations, and ;perating and emergency procedures were available on each radiography truck, though not available in the sales office.
The series of events, as related by the licensee are as follows:
A radiographer left Evanston, Wyoming Saturday night, April 5, 1980, around seven or eight o' clock for Salt Lake City, Utah.
The use of the radio-graphy truck for this personal travel was prohibited by Southwest X-Ray.
The truck was parked in an apartment parking lot until Sunday evening, April 6, 1980 at, about eight o' clock. The radiographer noted the camera was in the locked steel box at this time as he was in the darkroom momentarily.
The darkroom door was locked and the non-stop drive to Evanston, Wyoming was made. A stop in Evanston to eat was made and six individuals were noted to be near where the truck was parked.
One individual was recognized by the radiographer as a flagman on a pipeline project.
It has been learned this individual did not return to his
3 flagman job after Sunday April 6, 1980.
After eati.
the radiographer went to his motel for the night.
On Monday morning, April 7, 1980, an assistant radiographer noted the darkroom door was not locked and routine check of equipment revealed the camera containing the source was missing. After physically retracing the events of the weekend to try to determine if the source could have been misplaced in a different manner, officials were notified of the theft on Tuesday, April 8, 1980.
Organizations involved in the investigation of the theft include the Utah Highway Patrol, Utah Health Lepartment, Wyoming Health Department, Wyoming Highway Patrol, the FBI, Emergency Services for Salt Lake County, and the Salt Lake Sheriffs Department.
The iridium-192 source is by product material which, if found still contained in the camera, could be retrieved with precautions such as a survey with a Geiger-Mueller survey meter to assure the integrity of the camera and notification of the licensee and regulatory authorities.
Precautions to be followed if the source is no longer contained in the camera include roping off an area at the 2 mR/hr radiation level, pro-hibitting entry inside the area, notification of the licensee and regulatory authorities whc w;11 give further directions.