PNO-III-89-044, on 890707,moisture-density Gauge Containing 8 Mci Cs-137 & 40 Mci Am-241 Crushed by Bulldozer at Const Site.Area Cordoned & Survey Measurements Taken.Source Rod Retrieved & Will Be Returned to Vendor
| ML20246L294 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 03014016 |
| Issue date: | 07/11/1989 |
| From: | Casey C, Sreniawski D NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-III-89-044, PNO-III-89-44, NUDOCS 8907180390 | |
| Download: ML20246L294 (1) | |
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PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE-PNO-III-89-44 Date July 11,'1989 .
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ThisprebminarynotificationconstitutesEARLYnoticeofeventsofPOSSIBLE e
saf;ty'or public ' Interest significance. The information is as initially [S j r:ceived without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is 1 known by the Region III staff on this date. I l Facility: Testing Engineers and Licensee Emergency Consultants Classification: J Troy, MI 48084 Unusual Event Alert-License No. 21-18668-01. Site Area Emergency
, General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
DAMAGED M0ISTURE-DENSITY GAUGE
. At about 1:40 p.m. (CDT), July 7,1989, a Troxler moisture-density gauge containing 8 millicuries of cesium-137 and 40 millicuries of americium-241 was crushed by a bulldozer
'at a construction site in Pontiac, Michigan. The source rod had been lowered into the ground at the time of the accident.
The'11censee cordoned the area and took survey measurements. No unusual radiation levels were noted. The radioactive sources were not leaking. An inspector from the State of
' Michigan's Department of Radiological Health responded to the scene and personally retrieved the source rod, which was placed in a makeshift plastic container and surrounded by 50 pounds of lead shot. The container was then placed in a five-gallon bucket of sand for additional shielding. The radiation level at the surface of the container was 2 milliroentgen per hour.
Based on the very brief transfer time getting the source rod from the ground into the shielded container, and because of the low activity of the sources, it is not believed the State inspector received a significant radiation dose.
The source rod will be returned to the vendor.
The NRC office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards has been notified. The licensee is expected to submit a report on this event to Region III (Chicago) within 30 days.
' Region III was rwtified of the mishap et 2:40 p.m. (CDT), July 7, 1989. This information is current as of 11 a.m. (CDT), July 11, 1989.
CONTACT: C. Casey D. Sreniawsk FTS 388-5734 FTS 388-5611 ,
DISTRIBUTION: b f9 WHITE FLINT NORTH 1 MNBB REGIONS FAX T0:
Chairman Carr CA XEMI RI INPO I Comm. Roberts OGC ARM RII NSAC i Comm. Rogers 01 OIA RIV Licensee Comm. Curtis EDO RV NRC Ops Ctr AyO SECY NRR NL MAIL T0: PDR (8/634-3343) /.*g GPA/SLITP/PA NMSS RES DCS (Orig.)
ALSAP ACRS DDT (Trans. Only)
OE Rev. 07/05/89 g g
&71Q90890711 ,
PND-III-99-044 PNU
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