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| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 53721 | 6 November 2018 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Damaged Moisture Density Gauge | The following was received via email from the State of Texas: On November 6, 2018, the licensee notified the Agency (Texas Department of State Health Services) that one of its Troxler model 3411 moisture/density gauges had been damaged at a temporary work site. The gauge contains an 8 milliCurie Cesium - 137 source and a 40 milliCurie Americium source. The initial report stated the casing and electronics were damaged but the shielding and insertion rod were not damaged. The licensee's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) stated that at approximately 1430 (CST) on November 6, 2018, one of their technicians was working at a temporary job site. He had left the Troxler model 3411 moisture/density gauge on the ground about 10 feet behind him while he was preparing the test hole. A front end loader came into the area and struck the gauge with its back tire. The outer casing/shell of the device was broken as were the electronics. The source had been inside the gauge at the time. The insertion rod did not appear to be bent (didn't push it out to make sure), the shielding was not damaged, and survey did not detect any radiation above the same levels when sources are known to be fully shielded. The gauge was placed inside its transport case and transported to the licensee's facility for storage. The RSO stated the gauge would be taken to the service company for repair or disposal. On November 7, 2018, the Agency contacted the RSO and requested a picture of the device. The Agency received the pictures later that day. The Agency reviewed the pictures and the insertion rod for the cesium source appeared to have a slight bend in it. The Agency sent an e-mail request to the RSO and asked if the rod was operable. On November 8, 2018, the RSO responded to the Agency and stated they had not operated the source rod and he believed it would not be operable because of a slight curving bend in the operating rod. The gauge is still in storage at the licensee's location. The Agency will not ask the licensee to try and operate the rod as there is the risk that the source could get stuck in an unshielded position. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300. Texas Incident #: I-9630 |