Semantic search
| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 55592 | 20 October 2021 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Radiography Camera Locking Mechanism Malfunction | The following was received from the Alabama Department of Public Health, Office of Radiation Control (Agency), via email: On 10/28/2021, Alabama licensee Vital Inspection Professionals, Inc. (RML 1118, Alabaster, AL) reported during the Agency's inspection that camera INC- 100 s/n 4481 appeared to have a malfunctioning locking mechanism. The licensee stated the malfunction was discovered on 10/20/2021 at a temporary job site. The licensee stated that the source appeared to be in the shielded position, and that personnel did not receive over exposures as a result of the faulty mechanism (consistent with inspection results). The licensee stated that the camera was taken out of service after the faulty mechanism was discovered. The licensee had a plan of action to send the camera for repair at the time of the inspection. The camera was loaded with an Ir-192 source, 100 curies on 9/27/2021. Alabama Event 21-34 | ||
| ENS 50904 | 18 March 2015 02:30:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Radiographer Potential Overexposure | The following information was received via fax: On March 18, 2015, the Radiation Safety Officer for Vital Inspection Professionals, Alabaster, Alabama notified the Office of Radiation Control (for the State of Alabama) in regards to a potential overexposure which may have occurred while conducting radiography at the Alabama Power, Miller Steam Plant. On March 17, 2015 at approximately 2130 CDT, a crew was conducting radiography. The crew consisted of one radiographer and three assistants. They were completing two exposures lasting 35 seconds, and with a set-up time of approximately 15 to 18 minutes. After completing the two exposures, the radiographer noticed that his pocket dosimeter (200 mR) was off-scale. The first assistant's pocket dosimeter was reading 50 mR, the second assistant's pocket dosimeter was off scale and the third assistant was not wearing any dosimetry. The radiographer and first assistant acknowledged that their alarming rate meters were functioning correctly, the second assistant and third assistant were not wearing an alarming rate meter. The crew notified their Radiation Safety Officer at 2130 CDT, but did not contact him until around midnight. The crew immediately stopped work and was told to meet the Radiation Safety Officer the next morning to discuss the events. All available dosimetry was sent off for emergency processing and (dose information) should be received by noon, March 19, 2015. From the discussion it was determined that the survey meter had an apparent electrical short and was not measuring properly. The camera was checked and determined to be functioning properly. Based on the licensee's preliminary dose estimates it was determined that one crew member may have received up to 45 Rem whole body.
The following update was received from the Alabama Department of Public Health via fax: On March 25, 2015, Agency representatives visited Alabama Power Miller Steam Plant and met with representatives of the plant and reviewed the area where the incident took place. Also during this time the Radiation Safety Officer, the Assistant Radiation Safety Officer and the Radiographer, for Vital Inspection Professionals, were interviewed while at the plant. Starting the afternoon of March 25, 2015 and concluding the afternoon of March 26, 2015 visit, Agency representatives (Alabama Department of Public Health) met with personnel for Vital Inspection Professionals at their office and interviewed one shift foreman and the four individuals involved in the incident. The preliminary findings from interviews and a re-creation of the events is that the source was outside of its fully shielded position, but not in the guide tube. Since the incident, all four individuals involved have been seen by an Occupational Physician and have had blood samples sent to REAC/TS for review. Results should be received by April 3, 2015. Further review of all associated paperwork and training will be accomplished by April 1, 2015. Alabama Incident 15-16 Notified R1DO(Kennedy), NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION via email | ||
| ENS 43530 | 26 July 2007 14:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Malfunction of Radiography Camera Safety Equipment | The State provided the following information via facsimile: A licensee technician was performing an exposure with a INC Model IR-100 (Source: Ir-192 source strength: 41 Ci) on a test coupon in the company shooting room. When the technician attempted to retract the source the safety latch popped up to indicate that the source was in the shielded position. The technician approached the camera with a survey meter. The technician, thinking the source was retracted, turned the key to lock the camera. When the technician surveyed the front of the camera, the survey meter went off scale. The technician realized there was a malfunction exited the area and contacted the Assistant RSO (ARSO). The ARSO and the technician determined that the source was still in front of the safety latch and not shielded. The licensee called the manufacturer for guidance. The licensee freed the source, and after several attempts was able to engage the safety latch and lock the source in the stowed position. The camera has been taken out of service and is being shipped to the manufacturer for repair. Both the technician and the ARSO received between 2-3 mR during the event. |