Semantic search
| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 56030 | 25 July 2022 04:00:00 | Agreement State | Lost/Missing Category 2 Radioactive Material Shipment | The following information was received from the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program via email: QSA Global reported via telephone at 1400 EDT on 8/4/2022 (to the agency (MA Department of Public Health Radiation Control Program)) that a 6/30/2022 shipment from Australia, containing thirty-two Ir-192 sealed sources totaling 134 Ci and two Se-75 sealed sources totaling 8.38 Ci, was missing in transit. The shipment departed from Sydney, Australia (SYD) via Qatar Airways on or about 7/1/2022 and arrived at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). QSA Global stated last known (scanned) location was at ORD on 7/20/2022. QSA Global was informed that shipment was missing at 1345 EDT on 8/4/2022. This shipment included three 34x34x40 cm, RQ UN2916, Yellow-II, Type B packages containing Ir-192 with a Transport Index of 0.3 DIM, two 49x49x53 cm, RQ UN2916, Yellow-II, Type B packages containing Ir-192 with a Transport Index of 0.2 DIM, and one 25x21x43 cm, RQ UN2916, Yellow-II, Type B package containing Se-75 with a Transport Index of 0.1 DIM, at time of shipment. QSA updated last known location by later stating that the shipment was picked up in Chicago by Forward Air Corporation trucking company on 7/21/22 and arrived in Boston on 7/25/22 (current last known location is Forward Air facility in Boston). This situation is an immediately reportable event per regulation. Search for the missing shipment by Forward Air Corporation is ongoing. The agency currently considers this docket to still be open. MA Event Docket Number: TBD Notified external: DHS SWO, FEMA Ops Center, USDA Ops Center, HHS Ops Center, DOE Ops Center, DHS CISA Central, and EPA EOC and via E-mail: FDA EOC, Nuclear SSA, FEMA National Watch Center, and CWMD Watch Desk.
The following was received from the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program via email: Shipment discovered on loading dock at carrier (Forward Air Corporation) facility in Boston 8/4/22. Receiver licensee (QSA Global Inc.) reported receipt of shipment on 8/5/22 and confirmed all six individual package seals were observed to be intact. Notified internal: R1RDO (Henrion), IR MOC (Crouch), and ILTAB (MacDonald), and via email: NMSS (Williams), INES (Smith), NMSS Events Notification, and ILTAB. Notified external: DHS SWO, FEMA Ops Center, USDA Ops Center, HHS Ops Center, DOE Ops Center, DHS CISA Central, and EPA EOC and via E-mail: FDA EOC, Nuclear SSA, FEMA National Watch Center, and CWMD Watch Desk. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A 'Category 2' LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 2 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for a short time (minutes to hours). It could possibly be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of hours to days. These sources are typically used in practices such as industrial gamma radiography, high dose rate brachytherapy and medium dose rate brachytherapy. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 55795 | 18 March 2022 17:06:00 | Agreement State | Lost Package Containing Radioactive Material | The following was received via email from the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program: At 1338 EDT today (3/18/2022), QSA Global, Inc. contacted the Radiation Control Program to report a potential missing package containing radioactive material. The package is a QSA Global 880 source changer and overpack containing a single Ir-192 source with an activity of 6.6 curies (assay date 2/15/2022), (serial number) SN: 31468M. The 880 source changer SN is C010. The package was shipped via common courier from Acuren Group, Inc. in Edmonton, Canada on February 15, 2022. On March 3, 2022, package was scanned at the common courier terminal in Memphis, TN (last known location). On March 9, 2022, Acuren contacted QSA Global, Inc. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to inform them that the package could not be located. On March 11, 2022, Acuren contacted QSA Global, Inc. in Louisiana and the common courier for a status. The common courier initiated a search on March 11, 2022, that included the common courier main hub in Memphis, TN. The package could not be located. At 0930 EDT this morning (3/18/2022), common courier contacted the QSA Global Baton Rouge office and notified them that the package could not be located. At 1206 EDT today (3/18/2022) the Baton Rouge office contacted QSA Global, Inc. in Burlington, MA to notify them of the missing package. The Massachusetts Radiation Control Program considers this event as open pending further investigation.
The following received via email from the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program: Upon Agency (Massachusetts Radiation Control Program) discussion with state of Tennessee, who had contacted the common carrier's Dangerous Goods Administration, the carrier reported on March 22, 2022, the package to be located at the carrier's Custom clearance area at its hub in Memphis, TN and the package is not missing. Notified R1DO (Jackson) and NMSS Events Notification, ILTAB, and CNSNS via email. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A 'Category 3' LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 3 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for some hours. It could possibly - although it is unlikely - be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of days to weeks. These sources are typically used in practices such as fixed industrial gauges involving high activity sources (for example: level gauges, dredger gauges, conveyor gauges and spinning pipe gauges) and well logging. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 55547 | 26 October 2021 20:50:00 | Agreement State | Radiography Camera Delivered to Wrong Address | The following is a synopsis of information received via E-mail: The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) was notified by the QSA Global Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) concerning an industrial radiography camera that had been shipped, but did not reach its intended destination on October 26, 2021. This notification was made via the LDEQ Radiation Hotline at approximately 1215 CDT on October 27, 2021. According to the QSA Global RSO, the common carrier said the package had been delivered on October 26, 2021 at 1550 CDT and signed for by an individual. The RSO for Ohmstede, the intended recipient, said the package had not been delivered. The package with the industrial radiography camera, a QSA Global model 880 Delta (s/n D11151) with 105 Ci of Ir-192 (s/n 34970M), was mistakenly delivered to an address on Hwy 75 instead of the correct address on Highway 30, St. Gabriel, LA. On October 27, 2021, the common carrier driver picked up the package from the incorrect address and delivered it to the correct location around 1300 CDT on October 27, 2021. No further action required. Louisiana Event Report ID No.: LA 20210009 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A 'Category 2' LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 2 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for a short time (minutes to hours). It could possibly be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of hours to days. These sources are typically used in practices such as industrial gamma radiography, high dose rate brachytherapy and medium dose rate brachytherapy. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 55163 | 31 March 2021 14:44:00 | Agreement State | Sealed Source Missing in Transit | The following information was received from the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program via email: The licensee reported at 1143 EDT on March 31, 2021 that it discovered on the same day (March 31, 2021) at 1044 EDT that a package (Yellow-II, T.I. 0.5, Type B, UN 2916) containing one sealed source (Iridium-192;105.2 Curies) in a model 880 radiography exposure device (was missing in transit). The package was shipped by QSA Global, Inc. on March 26, 2021 for shipment to their customer, Acuren Inspections, Inc. in Corpus Christi, TX. The package was last tracked by (the common carrier) in Memphis, TN on March 30, 2021, but there has been no (package) movement since March 27, 2021. (The common carrier) initiated a trace on the package on March 31, 2021. On March 31, 2021 at 1143 EDT, QSA Global, Inc. reported the event to the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program. The reporting requirement is immediate and is 105 CMR 120.281(A)(1), missing licensed radioactive materials in aggregate quantity equal to or greater than 1,000 times the quantity specified in 105 CMR 120.297, Appendix C. The four-hour reporting requirement of 105 CMR 120.077(B), missing shipment of Category 2 quantity of radioactive material, also applies. The Agency (Massachusetts Radiation Control Program) considers this event to be open. Notified: DHS SWO, DOE Operations Center, FEMA Operations Center, HHS Operations Center, CISA Central, USDA Operations Center, EPA Emergency Operations Center, FDA Emergency Operations Center (email), FEMA NWC (email), DHS Nuclear SSA (email), and FEMA NRCC SASC (email), CWMD Watch Desk (email).
Licensee reports that it was notified at 1601 EDT on April 6, 2021 that the package had been delivered to its intended destination undamaged. Notified R1DO (WERKHEISER), NMSS (RIVERA-CAPELLA), IR MOC (KENNEDY), and ILTAB (RICHARDSON) and via email NMSS EVENTS NOTIFICATION and INES NATIONAL OFFICER (MILLIGAN). Also notified DHS-SWO, FEMA-OC, USDA-OC, HHS-OC, DOE-OC, DHS CISA Central, and EPA-EOC and via email FDA-EOC, Nuclear SSA, FEMA-NWC, and CWMD-Watch Desk. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 2" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 2 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for a short time (minutes to hours). It could possibly be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of hours to days. These sources are typically used in practices such as industrial gamma radiography, high dose rate brachytherapy and medium dose rate brachytherapy. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 55119 | 1 March 2021 19:00:00 | Agreement State | Category 2 Package Containing Seven Sealed Sources Lost in Transit | The licensee reported to the Agency (Massachusetts Radiation Control Program) at 1400 EST on March 1, 2021, that it discovered on March 1, 2021 at 1200 EST that a package (Yellow-III, T.I. 2.6, Type B, UN 2916) containing seven sealed sources (Ir-192; 59.9 Ci, 59.2 Ci, 58.1 Ci, 59.9 Ci, 59.5 Ci, 59.8 Ci, and 69.2 Ci) in a model 976C source changer was missing. The package was shipped by QSA Global, Inc. on February 12, 2021, for export to their customer NDT Instruments, based in Singapore. On March 1, 2021 at 1200 EST, QSA Global, Inc. discovered that the package had not been received. The carrier indicated that the package had been at their Memphis, TN facility on 2/13/2021, and that since then the location is unknown. The reporting requirement is immediate and is of 105 CMR 120.281(A)(1), missing licensed radioactive materials in aggregate quantity equal to or greater than 1,000 times the quantity specified in 105 CMR 120.297, Appendix C. The four-hour reporting requirement of 105 CMR 120.077(B), missing shipment of Category 2 quantity of radioactive material, also applies. The Agency considers this event to be open. Notified: DHS-SWO, FEMA-OC, USDA-OC, HHS-OC, DOE-OC, DHS CISA Central, and EPA-EOC, Notified via E-mail: FDA- EOC, Nuclear SSA, FEMA-NWC, and CWMD-Watch Desk.
The following was received via e-mail from the Radiation Control Officer, Massachusetts Radiation Control Program: Licensee reports that they were notified on (5 March, 2021) that the missing package had been located in Memphis. The package was found undamaged and will continue for export to Singapore. Notified R1DO (BURKET), NMSS (RIVERA-CAPELLA), IR MOC (GOTT), and ILTAB (RICHARDSON) and via email NMSS EVENTS NOTIFICATION, and INES NATIONAL OFFICER (MILLIGAN). Also notified DHS-SWO, FEMA-OC, USDA-OC, HHS-OC, DOE-OC, DHS CISA Central, and EPA-EOC and via email FDA- EOC, Nuclear SSA, FEMA-NWC, and CWMD-Watch Desk. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 2" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 2 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for a short time (minutes to hours). It could possibly be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of hours to days. These sources are typically used in practices such as industrial gamma radiography, high dose rate brachytherapy and medium dose rate brachytherapy. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 55112 | 23 February 2021 17:00:00 | Agreement State | Lost Source | The following was received from the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program (the Agency) via email: The licensee (QSA Global, Inc., License No. 12-8361) reported at 1400 (EST), on February 23, 2021 that it discovered on same day (February 23, 2021) at 1200 (EST), that a package (Yellow-III, T.I. 1.5, Type B, UN 2916) containing one sealed source (Co-60, 62.6 Ci, SN 88647G) in a Sentry radiographic exposure device (SN P01017) was missing. The package was shipped by QSA Global, Inc. on January 29, 2021 for export to their customer Acuren Group, based in Canada. On February 23, 2021 at 1200 (EST), Acuren Group reported to QSA Global, Inc. that the package was not received. On February 23, 2021 at 1400 (EST), QSA Global, Inc. reported the event to the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program. The (common) carrier indicated that the package was at their Memphis facility on January 31, and that since then the location is unknown. The reporting requirement is immediate and is of 105 CMR 120.281(A)(1), missing licensed radioactive materials in aggregate quantity equal to or greater than 1,000 times quantity specified in 105 CMR 120.297, Appendix C. The four-hour reporting requirement of 105 CMR 120.077(B), missing shipment of Category 2 quantity of radioactive material, also applies. The Agency considers this event to be open.
The following was received from the Agency via email: Licensee reports that they were notified at 1645 (EST) on March 2, 2021 that the missing package had been located in the Memphis. The wooden crate containing the Type B Package was damaged, however, the Type B package itself was not damaged. The licensee is sending materials to (common carrier) in Memphis to repair the crate before continuing with export to the customer in Canada. Notified R1DO (BURKET), NMSS (RIVERA-CAPELLA), IR MOC (GOTT), and ILTAB (RICHARDSON) and via email NMSS EVENTS NOTIFICATION, INES NATIONAL OFFICER (MILLIGAN), AND CNSC (CANADA). Also notified DHS-SWO, FEMA-OC, USDA-OC, HHS-OC, DOE-OC, DHS CISA Central, and EPA-EOC and via email FDA- EOC, Nuclear SSA, FEMA-NWC, and CWMD-Watch Desk. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 2" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 2 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for a short time (minutes to hours). It could possibly be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of hours to days. These sources are typically used in practices such as industrial gamma radiography, high dose rate brachytherapy and medium dose rate brachytherapy. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 53233 | 28 February 2018 15:30:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Package Containing Category 2 Sealed Sources Missing in Transit | The following information was received via E-mail: QSA Global reported via telephone on 2/28/2018 that a package shipped via (a common carrier) on 2/19/2018 (shipping documents prepared on 2/16/2018), containing two Model A424-9 Ir-192 industrial radiography sealed sources within a Model 650L source changer, was reported as missing via telephone by (the common carrier) at 1030 EST on 2/28/2018. (The common carrier) trace was already initiated and in progress, and tracking indicates last known package location was (the common carrier) hub in Memphis, TN. This was a RQ UN2916, Yellow-III, Type B package with a Transport Index of 1.9 at time of shipment. Package dimensions were 26x22x34 cm. Source changer SN 263. Sources - SN 63782G (111.6 Ci on 2/14/2018) and 73783G (108.0 Ci on 2/14/2018). This situation is an immediately reportable event per regulation. The search for the missing package is ongoing. Agency (Massachusetts Radiation Control Program) currently considers this docket to still be OPEN. Package Origin: Burlington, MA, USA Intended Destination: Bogota, Columbia Notified External: DHS SWO, FEMA Ops Center, USDA Ops Center, HHS Ops Center, DOE Ops Center, DHS NICC Watch Officer, and EPA EOC. Notified External via E-mail: FDA EOC, NuclearSSA, FEMA NRCC SASC, FEMA National Watch Center, DNDO-JAC.
QSA Global reported to the Agency that the package was received at its intended destination on 2/26/2018. Agency considers this event to still be OPEN. Massachusetts Radiation Control Program updated Tennessee Division of Radiological Health. Notified R1DO (Bickett), NMSS EO (Rivera-Capella), ILTAB (English), IRD MOC (Pham), and NMSS Events (email). Notified External: DHS SWO, FEMA Ops Center, USDA Ops Center, HHS Ops Center, DOE Ops Center, DHS NICC Watch Officer, and EPA EOC. Notified External via E-mail: FDA EOC, NuclearSSA, FEMA NRCC SASC, FEMA National Watch Center, DNDO-JAC.
The following was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts via email: QSA Global provided a 30-day written report received by the Agency on 3/9/18. Agency telephone discussions with QSA Global and (the common carrier) were held on 3/12/18. The following information is provided in order to report previously unreported details: (1) QSA Global confirmed that the 650-L Source Changer is itself a Type B package and was not shipped in an overpack container and therefore was the shipping container, (2) (the common carrier) indicated, as a corrective action, this situation would be included in the lessons learned portion of annual refresher training presented to (the common carrier) employees. In this case, although QSA Global had contact with the international customer on 2/21/18 and 2/23/18, the customer did not follow-up to inform QSA Global when the item actually arrived on 2/26/18 (two days before it was reported to Agency as missing by QSA Global on 2/28/18). Agency considers this event to be CLOSED. Massachusetts Radiation Control Program updated Tennessee Division of Radiological Health. NMED number: 180099 Massachusetts Event: 15-3140 Notified R1DO (Jackson), NMSS EO (Rivera-Capella), ILTAB (Ahern), IRD MOC (Pham), and NMSS Events (email). THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 2" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 2 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for a short time (minutes to hours). It could possibly be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of hours to days. These sources are typically used in practices such as industrial gamma radiography, high dose rate brachytherapy and medium dose rate brachytherapy. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web. | ||
| ENS 52391 | 3 November 2016 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Leaking Kr-85 Source During Transfer to Approved Shipping Container | The following report was received from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality via email: On the 3rd of November, 2016, QSA Global, Inc. had an incident during the transfer of Kr-85 sources to approved shipping containers for transportation to Qual-X, Inc. for recycling. The work was being preformed at approximately 1530 to 1600 hrs. (CST). After the completion of the work, there was no indication at that time of any possible leakage. At approximately 1800 hrs., it was noticed that the scintillation counter background had a slightly higher than normal background reading. It was determined that the only possible cause was the Kr-85 sources, as that is all that QSA Global, Inc. had worked with that day. A visual inspection of the possible leaking Kr-85 sources was performed. There was no damage to any of the windows, but QSA Global, Inc. now knows that was the point of origin of the contamination due to the surveys of the lead container that they were stored in. The sources were sealed in a 10 gallon steel drum and then placed in a plastic bag to prevent any additional release of material. The sources involved are LFE Model S-70A s/n 9234 at 168 mCi, 9332 at 184 mCi and 9333 at 184 mCi. The original activity of these sources was 1200 mCi. The building was ventilated using fans to remove the Kr-85 that had accumulated in the building. The building was surveyed at 0230 hrs. (on November 4, 2016) with no contamination detected. Another survey of the building was performed again at 0530 again with no contamination found. After QSA Global discussed the situation with Qual-X, Inc. and using their expertise in these types of situations, it was determined from survey readings and building size, that an estimated amount of less than 1-2 mCi may have been released. They also indicated that the sources were of the type that are known to leak due to the way they are manufactured and their age being 29 years. At this point QSA Global, Inc. believes that all three may be leaking. Event Report ID No.: LA160015 | ||
| ENS 51825 | 26 March 2016 04:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Missing Shipment of Radioactive Materials | The following information was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts via email: The licensee (QSA Global, Inc.) made telephone notification at 1156 EDT on March 28, 2016 to the Agency (Massachusetts Radiation Control Program) that the licensee was notified by the carrier (Lufthansa Cargo Airlines) on the same day at 1050 EDT that a shipment of one package for export containing 73.1712 TBq (1,977.6 curies) of iridium-192 shipped from QSA Global, Inc. (Burlington, Massachusetts) on March 23, 2016 to a QSA Division in Prague, Czech Republic was missing and that the licensee was working with carrier to find the package containing the missing materials. The licensee additionally reports that its QSA Division in Prague is closed for business today, March 28, 2016. After initial telephone notification made by the licensee to the Agency, the licensee forwarded to the Agency tracking information from the carrier indicating that the missing package was tracked by the carrier to have been shipped from New York's JFK Airport (airport station JFK) through Frankfort, Germany airport (airport station FRA) and had arrived at the Prague, Czech Republic airport (airport station PRG) on March 26, 2016. According to carrier tracking, the package was not recorded as actually being received from the flight arriving to PRG on March 26, 2016 and then declared missing by the carrier on same day. Additional information received by the licensee indicated that upon arrival to FRA, the pallet that licensee's shipment was built on was offloaded from the aircraft at FRA and taken to a break down area and the shipment was re-built on a different pallet for movement on the flight from FRA to PRG. The package is described as a Type B(U) package, RQ UN2916, containing 23 (twenty-three) total QSA Global, Inc. Model 87501 radiography sources, each source special form. The reporting requirement is immediate and is of 105 CMR 120.281(A)(1), missing licensed radioactive materials in aggregate quantity equal to or greater than 1,000 times quantity specified in 105 CMR 120.297, Appendix C. The Agency made notification to FBI. The Agency considers this event to be open. Notified DHS (SWO) and Department of State Ops Center.
Notified by QSA Global, via email, at 0715 EDT 03/29/2016, of the following; Please be advised that QSA Global has been notified officially by Lufthansa that the shipment was located and is currently in Prague, Czech Rep. Arrangements are being made for final delivery. Charles Ellars, RSO QSA. Global, Inc. Notified R1DO (Dwyer), NMSS (Collins and McIntosh), IRD (Gott), ILTAB (Hahn), OIP (Mamish), and DHS (SWO), Department of State OPS Center, and NMSS Events Notification via email.
The Agency (Massachusetts Radiation Control Program) received an update at 0715 EDT on Tuesday, 3/29/2016, from the licensee (QSA Global). The licensee stated that they were officially notified by Lufthansa Cargo Airlines that the Iridium-192 missing material (Shipment) had been located and is currently in Prague, Czech Republic with arrangements being made for final delivery. The Agency made this updated notification to the FBI. No further Agency action will be taken as a result of this event. The Agency considers this event CLOSED. Notified R1DO (Dwyer), and NMSS Events Notification via email. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 2" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 2 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for a short time (minutes to hours). It could possibly be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of hours to days. These sources are typically used in practices such as industrial gamma radiography, high dose rate brachytherapy and medium dose rate brachytherapy. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 51499 | 26 October 2015 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Nuclear Density Gauge Potentially Damaged During Shipment | The following report was provided by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality via email: On 10/26/2015, (The) RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) / Technical Service Manager for QSA Global notified the LDEQ (Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality) about an incident where a (common carrier) delivered a device containing radioactive material to their facility on Langley Dr., Baton Rouge, LA. When the receipt surveys were being performed, they noticed at one point on the surface they had a reading of 2 R/hr at the surface. It appears that one or more of the pull ties used to secure the shutters on the device broke causing a shift in the shielding. Part of the bracing material minimized the shielding shift. The device in question is a Texas Nuclear level/density gauge, Model # 5210, SN B1110, loaded with (approximately) 733 mCi of Co-60 sealed source. The origin of the shipment was Puerto Ordaz, EDO Bolivar, Venezuela. It came stateside via (common carrier) to Houston, TX and then to the QSA Global facility in Baton Rouge, LA by (common carrier). The shipment arrived (at approximately) 1145 (CDT) on 10/26/2015. The activity is below Cat 2 quantities at (approximately) 733 mCi of Co-60. The device was surveyed and moved to a bunker on the QSA Global site. Re-enactments and calculations will be conducted on 10/27/2015 AM when (the RSO) is present. The LDEQ personnel will be on site for the measurements, calculations and follow-up information (dissemination). This is a preliminary notification of an incident reported to LDEQ (at approximately) 1530 (CDT). After the source was secure, safe and locked in a bunker at the QSA Global Baton Rouge, LA facility. Possible exposure calculations will be determined from the reconstruction of events. The Baton Rouge facility is compliant for the IC (Increased controls) principles and Radiation Safety procedures/aspects for the receipt activities. The Department, LDEQ personnel will be on site for the corrective actions and calculations. The NRC, Region IV, was made aware of this situation on 10/26/2015. Follow-up information will be (disseminated) when available. This is being reported as a preventive and protection action under 10 CFR Part 30.50(a). Information will be updated when available. LDEQ considers this incident still open. Event Report ID No.: LA-150019 | ||
| ENS 50820 | 13 February 2015 17:35:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Cat 1 Iridium-192 Shipment Lost/Found During Transit | The following information was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: QSA Global reported that (the common carrier) has initiated a trace of the shipment or packages to find the missing materials. Abstract: At 12:35 p.m. February 13th, the licensee (QSA Global, Inc.) made a telephone notification to the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program. At 9:30 a.m. February 13th, QSA Global, Inc. was notified by (the common carrier) that a shipment of 6 packages was missing and that (the common carrier) had initiated a trace on the shipment or packages. QSA Global reported (the common carrier) stated that the packages were last observed by (the common carrier) to be at (their) facility on Thursday, February 12th. The total activity of all 6 packages was reported by QSA Global to be 73,000 curies of lridum-192. QSA Global described the packages to each be Model 702 bulk shipping containers. Two of the packages each contain four Model 849 special form capsules and four of the packages each contain three Model 849 special form capsules. All special form capsules contain iridium-192 wafers. QSA Global reported that it was not certain whether or not the six packages were together or separated at the (common carrier) facility. QSA Global reported that the shipment originated from the Netherlands and was intended for delivery to their QSA Global's Burlington, MA facility. The reporting requirement is immediate. 105 CMR 120.281(A)(1), missing licensed radioactive materials in aggregate quantity equal to or greater than 1,000 times quantity specified in 105 CMR 120.297, Appendix C.
The Agency (Massachusetts Radiation Control Program) was notified at 3:15 p.m. today by our licensee (QSA Global, Inc.) that the iridium-192 missing sources had been located at (common carrier hub) and are under their control . Notified NMSS (Dudes), IRD (Stapleton), R1DO (Powell) and NMSS Event Notification via email. Notified the following Federal Agencies: DHS SWO, DOE Ops Center, FEMA Ops Center, HHS Ops Center, NICC Watch Officer, USDA Ops Center, EPA EOC, FDA EOC, FEMA NWC (email), Nuclear SSA (email) and, DNDO-JAC (email).
The licensee (QSA Global, Inc.) notified our Agency (Massachusetts Radiation Control) (email message, dated 2/16/2015) that the formerly missing packages were physically delivered to their QSA Global, Inc. facility in Burlington , MA on Monday, 2/16/2015. The Agency considers this matter to still be OPEN pending follow-up report from licensee. The licensee is expected to file a written report to our agency within 30 days of the immediate notification related to 105 CMR 1281 (A)(1), an immediate report. Notified R1DO (Powell) and NMSS Events Notification via email. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 1" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 1 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected would be likely to cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for more than a few minutes. It would probably be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded material for a period of a few minutes to an hour. These sources are typically used in practices such as radiothermal generators, irradiators and radiation teletherapy. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 50735 | 14 January 2015 18:47:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Two Category 2 Iridium Sources Unaccounted for During Shipment | The following information was provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts via email. QSA Global (Shipper) initially provided notification to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the following: On Tuesday, January 13, 2015, QSA was notified by the customer a routine shipment of two Ir-192 sources from QSA Global, Inc. to Huntington Testing and Technology did not arrive as expected. They (HT&T) contacted the carrier and were told that the shipment could not be located. A trace was initiated. This trace is still actively being pursued by (the carrier's representative) and as of the writing of this email, the shipment is suspected of being at a US Postal Service facility in Charleston, SC. QSA Global subsequently provided notification to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the following: Please be advised that QSA has received notification by (the carrier's representative) that the shipment to Huntington Test and Technologies reported missing has been located and physically verified in Memphis, TN at the (shipper's) hub. Additional information will be forthcoming in a followup 30 day report. The two Iridium-192 sources are 102.8 Ci (SN: 14381G) and 102.7 Ci (SN: 14382G), respectively shipped in an SC-650L Source Changer (SN: 202). The shipment has no indication of tampering and is currently enroute to HT&T. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 2" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 2 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for a short time (minutes to hours). It could possibly be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of hours to days. These sources are typically used in practices such as industrial gamma radiography, high dose rate brachytherapy and medium dose rate brachytherapy. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 50458 | 6 August 2014 04:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Manufacturing Defect Resulting in Equipment to Not Perform as Designed | The following information was provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts via email: On 9/15/2014, Massachusetts Radiation Control Program (MA RCP) was notified by licensee (QSA Global, Inc.) in accordance with 105 CMR 120.142(B)(2) of manufacturing defect of a model 95020 radiographic guide tube resulting in equipment that failed to function as designed. The licensee reported that its customer (Team Industrial Services of South Roxana, Illinois) informed the licensee on 8/6/2014 that the end stop of the guide tube had come off during a radiographic exposure performed 7/25/2014, that the source was able to be returned to the shielded/stored position in the exposure device using normal retraction with the control assembly, and that there was no excessive personnel exposure related to the part failure. The licensee reported that its examination of the model 95020 assembly failed part showed that the end fitting had not been swaged to the guide tube housing as is required by the design. The licensee reported that upon learning of the part failure, it immediately performed a visual inspection of all guide tube and control assemblies accepted into stock for distribution and that there were no other instances of unswaged fitting or improper manufacture identified for accepted stock. Licensee further reported that it believes that the instance to be an isolated occurrence and that no other assemblies containing this defect remain in the field. Licensee reported that manufacturer failed to swage end stop fitting to guide tube and manufacturer failed to perform pull test of end stop fitting to guide tube and check connection for slip using inspection gauge. Licensee reported that corrective actions include changes that will be implemented in the production process to increase inspection and review of quality critical operational steps to ensure this type of manufacturing defect is not accepted and released to customers in the future. Model 95020 guide tubes are approved for use with QSA Global, Inc. model 880 series radiographic exposure devices described by Sealed Source and Device Registration No. MA-1059-D-334-S. Licensee reported that it conducted a review to determine if this type of condition had occurred previously and identified one instance from 2012 where a different model guide tube, model 48906, had not been properly swaged and tested prior to distribution to an international customer. MA RCP plans to perform inspection to include evaluation for any generic implications. | ||
| ENS 46579 | 26 January 2011 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Missing Radioactive Material Shipment | The following Agreement State Report was received via fax: The Radiation Safety Officer of QSA Global, Inc. reported the following information on February 2, 2011, to the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program: On Wednesday, January 26, 2011, QSA shipped a radioactive (High Dose Rate) HDR source to Memorial Hospital SW Cancer Center in Houston, TX. It was scheduled to deliver on Friday, January 28. On Monday, January 31, the (common carrier) tracking website still showed it as 'At destination sort facility' in Houston, TX. (The common carrier) was called to track the package, and we (QSA Global, Inc.) were told that it was actually still in Memphis, TN. A trace was requested. The (common carrier) trace number is (redacted). (The common carrier) said they would inform us with any new information. As of this morning, Tuesday, February 1, there was no news, so (the common carrier) was called. We were informed that the package was indeed LOST. We gave (the common carrier) a physical description of the package, and informed them of the importance of locating this package due to the fact that it was radioactive. They will call with any results. The specifics of the package are as follows: Isotope - Ir-192 Activity - 10.951 Ci / 405.2. GBq Container s/n - 81C6 Source s/n - D36C-6084 Surface reading - 26.0 mr/hr Transport Index - 0.4
On February 3, 2011, the licensee notified the Agency (Massachusetts Radiation Control Program) that the missing / lost shipment was found. The licensee reported that the shipment was never actually lost. It had been delivered to the hospital on 1/27/11 under a different air way bill number and the licensee was not aware of the new number. On February 4, 2011, the Agency asked the licensee for the new air way bill number, received the new number from the licensee, and used the (common carrier) tracking system to confirm the shipment was received on January 27, 2011. Notified R1DO (Dwyer) and FSME EO (Villamar). THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 3 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for some hours. It could possibly - although it is unlikely - be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of days to weeks. These sources are typically used in practices such as fixed industrial gauges involving high activity sources (for example: level gauges, dredger gauges, conveyor gauges and spinning pipe gauges) and well logging. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source | ||
| ENS 46408 | 8 November 2010 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Radioactive Material Shipment Fails to Arrive | A shipment containing 88.7 Ci Ir-192 that was scheduled to be delivered on 11/8/2010 did not arrive as scheduled. A trace was requested today. Details are as follows: On Friday 11/5/10, QSA Global, Inc (MA License 12-8361) shipped a CPIR100 to Kakivik Asset Management (NRC 50-27667-01) to be delivered C/O Northern Air Cargo in Anchorage, AK. It was shipped (by the carrier) P1 (Priority overnight) along with a small non-radioactive piece that contained a leak test kit. Both pieces were scheduled to be delivered to Northern Air Cargo on Monday 11/8/10. The leak test delivered without issue. However, the radioactive piece is still showing as arrived at (the carrier's) location in Newark, NJ. Today, Tuesday, 11/9/10, (the carrier) was contacted to put a trace on the radioactive material. They believe that the address label must have somehow come off the package. QSA provided a complete physical description of the IR100 overpack. Source serial # - 66641B Source Activity - 88.7 Ci / 3281.9 GBq Surface reading - 18.0 mr/hr Transport Index - 0.4
The following information was received via email: QSA has been notified by the carrier this morning that the package referenced (above) was located overnight and has been forwarded to its destination on a new tracking (number). Notified R1DO (Bellamy), FSME (Burgess), and ILTAB (Pearson). THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 2" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 2 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for a short time (minutes to hours). It could possibly be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of hours to days. These sources are typically used in practices such as industrial gamma radiography, high dose rate brachytherapy and medium dose rate brachytherapy. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 44430 | 20 August 2008 20:41:00 | Agreement State | Massachusetts Agreement State Report - Radiation Greater than Ten Times Limit | (A) technician working with a 113 Ci Ir-192 source set off high radiation alarms at (the QSA Global facility) which caused the immediate evacuation of the building. Radiation surveys outside the building indicated a dose rate of approximately 3 Mr/hr at a distance of 25 feet from the exterior of the building. Radiation safety staff performed a source retrieval to recover the source and place it in a shielded container; the building was reoccupied approximately 30 minutes later. Preliminary investigation of the technician indicated his electronic dosimeter (worn on the side of the body closest to the source) showed an exposure of 720 mRem. The technician was not wearing his extremity ring badge at the time, however the radiation safety officer calculated a maximum exposure to the tips of the maximally exposed fingers to be approximately 2 Rem. Dosimetry for both the technician involved and another that was nearby when the incident occurred have been sent to the vendor for immediate processing. Radiation Safety staff from QSA are performing additional investigations and will report back to the (MA Radiation Control Program Office) when more information becomes available. State of Massachusetts was notified by the licensee of this incident at 0621 on August 21, 2008.
The Massachusetts Radiation Control Program (RCP) has received the 30 day report from the licensee, QSA Global. This report confirms that the event which occurred on August 20, 2008 was not an overexposure event. The licensee reported levels of radiation in an unrestricted area in excess of ten times the limits specified in 105 CMR 120.221. This report was provided to the Agency (RCP) pursuant to 105 CMR 120.283. Notified R1DO (Dimitriadis) and FSME (White). |