PNO-IV-98-063, on 981208,State of Tx Contacted NRC Operations Ctr to Rept Loss of Radiographic Exposure Device.Crew Notified Licensee RSO & Route Survey Performed Between Pasadena & Bay City.State of Tx Informed of Event
| ML20197H242 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/10/1998 |
| From: | Linda Howell, Mclean M NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-IV-98-063, PNO-IV-98-63, NUDOCS 9812140031 | |
| Download: ML20197H242 (1) | |
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Dec mber 10,1998 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE e
PNO-IV-98-063 This prejiminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by Region IV staff in Arlington, Texas on this date.
Facilig Licensee Emeraency Classification Technical Welding, Inc.
Notification of Unusual Event Technical Welding, Inc.
Alert State of Texas Licensee Site Area Emergency General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
Lost Radiographic Exposure Device in Transit and Subsequently Found On December 8,1998, the State of Texas contacted the NRC Operations Center to report the loss of a radiographic exposure device. The device was a SPEC Model 150 exposure device containing 3.84 terabequerels (104 curies) of Iridium-192.
Tne State reported that a radiography crew departed from the licensee's office in Pasadena at 3:40 p.m. (CST) with the exposure device loaded on a flat bed truck. When the crew arrived at the job site in Bay City, Texas at approximately 5:20 p.m. (CST), they noted that the exposure device was not in the truck. The crew notified the licensee's radiation safety officer, and a route survey was performed between Pasadena and Bay City. The initial route survey failed to locate the device. It was later discovered that rather than traveling directly from the licensee's office to the temporary job site, the radiographer made a stop at his residence prior to going to the job site. During this stop, the radiographer said that he had to brake suddenly to avoid an accident. Apparently, the exposure device fell off the truck at that time. A consultant was subsequently dispatched by the licensee to the apartment complex, and the exposure device was discovered at approximately 9:30 p.m. (CST) under a bush at the radiographer's apartment complex.
The cumera was undamaged and is in the possession of the licensee. A radiation survey was conducted and no abnormal readings were found. Radiation levels on the surface of the camera were approximately 50 milliroentgen per hour. In addition, a leak test was performed and the results were negative.
The State of Texas was informed of the event by the licensee. The State is investigating the event.
Region IV received initial notification of this occurrence from the NRC Operations Center at 9:00 p.m. (CST) on December 8,1998, and has conducted follow up briefings with the l
State. Region IV has informed OSP and NMSS.
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This information has been discussed with the State of Texas and is current as of 5:30 p.m. (CST) December 9,1998.
Contact:
M. Linda McLean Linda L. Howell i
(817)860-8116 (817)S60-8213
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