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| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 56334 | 3 February 2023 13:00:00 | Agreement State | Stolen Gauge | The following report was received via email from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency): On February 3, 2023, the licensee notified the Agency of a stolen moisture density gauge. The gauge was left chained to the back of a truck at a (Borger, TX) hotel overnight. At around 0700 CST, the technician found the chains cut. The incident was reported to the local police department (and the State and local emergency management coordinators). The licensee reported that the gauge was in the safe position within a Type A Package which had both sides of the package locked. The licensee reported that the gauge is a CPN-MC1-DR model that contains 50 millicuries of americium-241 and 10 millicuries of cesium-137. The serial (number) for the gauge and the two sources was reported to be MD40301932. Further information will be provided per SA-300 when obtained. Texas Incident No: I-9985 Texas NMED No.: TX230003 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A 'Less than Cat 3' LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 53432 | 29 May 2018 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Damaged Troxler Gauge | The following was received from the state of Texas via email: On May 30, 2018, the Agency (Texas Department of State Health Services) was notified by the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) that on May 29, 2018, a Troxler model 3440 moisture/density gauge was damaged at a field site. The gauge contains an 8 millicurie cesium-137 source and a 40 millicurie americium-241 source. While the gauge was in taking a measurement and the technician and the job site foreman were talking, a bobcat operator working in the area failed to see the gauge and ran over it. The RSO stated the foreman and technician attempted to stop the operator of the bobcat, but were unable to get his attention. The RSO stated the operating rod for the cesium source was slightly bent, but the technician was able to return the source to the shielded position. The RSO stated the gauge was surveyed and radiation levels were normal. The gauge was returned to the licensee's location in San Antonio, Texas, for storage. The manufacturer has been contacted for guidance on what to do with the gauge. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300. Texas Incident # - 9577 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf | ||
| ENS 51686 | 26 January 2016 00:15:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Vehicle Accident While Transporting a Troxler Moisture Density Gauge | The following report was received from the State of Texas via email: On January 26, 2016, at approximately 1015 CST, the licensee notified the Agency (Texas Department of State Health Services) that at approximately 1815 CST on January 25, 2016, one of its technicians had been involved in a vehicle accident while transporting a Troxler Model 3430 (Serial #24412) moisture/density gauge. The accident occurred near Cumby, Texas. The technician was hospitalized as a result of injuries received in the accident. The gauge contained a 40 millicurie americium-241 and an 8 millicurie cesium-137 source. The licensee reported that the gauge's insertion rod was locked and the gauge was inside its transport case which had locks on the hasps, the transport case was chained with locks inside a steel box which was bolted to the bed of the pick-up, and there were 2 locks on the steel box. A wrecker service removed the vehicle from the scene and took it to its business location where the vehicle was placed behind a fence with a locked gate. The licensee was notified of the accident after midnight. One of the licensee's employees retrieved the gauge from the vehicle at approximately 0830 this morning. The employee reported the shipping papers were on the seat of the vehicle. The licensee reported that it does not appear anyone was aware of the presence of the gauge until the employee removed it this morning. The gauge was not damaged. More information will be provided as it is obtained in accordance with SA-300. Texas incident #: I 9375 | ||
| ENS 50255 | 1 July 2014 19:30:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Troxler Moisture/Density Gauge Run Over by Bulldozer | The following was received from the State of Louisiana via email: On July 2, 2014, the CRSO (Corporate Radiation Safety Officer), for Terracon Consultants (TCI) notified LDEQ (Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality) that a moisture density gauge being used at one of their projects was run over by a bulldozer. The source was left unattended when a bulldozer ran over the gauge and damaged the housing. They are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the incident. It appears that it was human error. The sources were leak tested and TCI is waiting for the results of the test. The unit was surveyed and it appears the sources were not leaking. Results will be forwarded to NMED as an update when the information is obtained. All equipment involved is isolated and is not a threat to the public. There is no threat to TCI personnel and it appears to be safe. The damaged gauge was a Troxler, Model 3430, S/N 26346, loaded with 8 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241/Be. The gauge housing was damaged, but there was no indication the radioactive sources were compromised or leaking. The sources were isolated and leak tested. | ||
| ENS 47586 | 12 January 2012 15:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Stolen Moisture/Density Gauge | On January 12, 2012, the Agency (Texas Department of State Health Services) was notified by the licensee that a Troxler Model 3430 moisture/density gauge (SN 39547) containing 40 millicuries of americium-241 and 8 millicuries of cesium-137 had been stolen that morning at approximately 0900 hrs. CST from one of its vehicles while it was parked at a convenience store in McKinney, Texas. The gauge was secured in the bed of the pickup truck with two chains. While the licensee's technician was inside the store, both chains were cut and the gauge removed. Local law enforcement was notified. The Agency notified the Texas Association of Pawnbrokers. More information will be provided as it is obtained. Texas Incident # I-8918 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. 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 47439 | 15 November 2011 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Stolen Moisture Density Gauge | The following report was received via e-mail: On November 15, 2011, the Agency (Texas Department of Health) was notified by the licensee that a Troxler model 3440 moisture/density gauge containing 9 millicuries of cesium-137 and 40 millicuries of americium-241 was stolen. The gauge was locked in the back of a company truck and the truck was parked at the technicians home overnight. When the technician went to the truck to leave, he found the gauge, one lock, and a chain missing. The licensee has notified local law enforcement of the theft. Additional information will be provided in accordance with SA - 300. Texas Incident: I-8903 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf |