Semantic search
| Entered date | Event description | |
|---|---|---|
| ENS 53994 | 12 April 2019 09:37:00 | The following was received via e-mail: On April 11, 2019, at 1223 (CDT), the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for Vital Inspection Professionals, Inc. advised the (Alabama Department of Public Health) Office of Radiation Control (ORC) of an incident that occurred on that day in the permanent shooting room at their facility in Alabaster, AL. Vital Inspection Professionals, Inc. has an Alabama Radioactive Material License No. 1118 for conducting industrial radiography. Preliminary information indicates that the radiographer, working alone, cranked out a 67 Curie Ir-192 source for an exposure and failed to crank the source back in before setting up for the next exposure. The radiographer's personal dosimeter badge has been sent in for emergency processing. Results are pending. Personnel from ORC are currently at the licensee's facility performing an incident investigation to include interviewing personnel and conducting re-enactments of the event. Alabama Incident: 19-08
The following was received via fax: This is an update to Alabama incident 19-08 that was reported the morning of April 12, 2019. As background, the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for Vital Inspection Professionals, Inc. (Alabama License No. 1118) advised the Office of Radiation Control (ORC) of an incident that occurred on April 11, 2019 in the permanent shooting room at their facility in Alabaster, AL. The radiographer, working alone, cranked out a 67 Curie Ir-192 source for an exposure and failed to crank the source back in before setting up for the next exposure. The radiographer's personal dosimeter badge was been sent for emergency processing and the results determined the badge received an exposure of 8.149 Rem. The licensee's preliminary investigation calculated extremity exposure to the left hand of 39.684 Rem and exposure to the right hand of 9.338 Rem. The radiographer is being monitored by a medical physician. Personnel from ORC performed an initial investigation of the incident on the morning of April 12, 2019. The primary cause of the incident appears to be human error. Specifically, the radiographer failed to crank in the source at the conclusion of the exposure; failed to observe the radiation actuated visible alarm; bypassed the audible alarm feature of the shooting room; and failed to observe his survey meter upon entry into the shooting room. The investigation concluded that all safety features were operating properly at the time of the incident. Additional contributing factors are being evaluated at this time. The licensee's written report is pending. The information in this report is current as of 1000 CDT, April 15, 2019. Notified R1DO (Bicket), NMSS (Rivera-Capella), INES Coordinator (Milligan), and NMSS_Events_Notification email group. |
| ENS 49549 | 18 November 2013 11:30:00 | On the afternoon of November 15, 2013 at 1530 CST, the Alabama Office of Radiation Control was notified that on November 14, 2013 a coal bed fire occurred at Nichols Aluminum Alabama in Decatur, AL. This fire occurred in the vicinity of a general licensed radioactive material device causing damage to the device. The device was identified as an Accuracy model 7000M, serial number 4084600. The device contained a Sr-90 sealed source model USS-18, source serial number LB-650 with an original activity of 11.1 milliCurie. Initial action taken by the company was to restrict access around the device at a 100 feet radius. A consultant from Phillips Group evaluated the radiation hazard on November 16, 2013 taking radiation measurements and a leak test of the device. Preliminary test indicate that the sealed source capsule remained intact with no leakage. The device shutter could not be completely closed but the device has been secured and presents no hazard to workers. The general licensee plans to contract with the manufacturer to package and dispose of the device. The written report from the general licensee is pending. Alabama Incident #13-52 |
| ENS 47101 | 27 July 2011 12:27:00 | The following report was received from the Alabama Department of Public Health via facsimile: On July 19, 2011, (the) Radiation Safety Officer for Building and Earth Sciences of Birmingham, Alabama notified the Alabama Office of Radiation Control that their 2004 Toyota Tacoma truck with a Troxler model 3430 moisture density gauge was stolen at the Kroger's Grocery Store parking lot at 300 North Dean Road in Auburn, Alabama. Building and Earth Sciences is authorized to possess and use radioactive material under their Alabama Radioactive Material License No. 1266. The Auburn Police Department was advised of the incident. The stolen gauge was identified as a Troxler model 3430, serial number 22300, with 0.3 gigabecquerels of Cs-137 and 1.48 gigabecquerels of Am-241:Be. (The RSO) indicated that the gauge transport case was properly secured within the bed of the pickup. As of July, 27, 2011, 11:00 AM CDT, the truck and the device containing radioactive material remain missing. This is all the information that this Agency (Alabama DPH) has at this time. Alabama Event 11-28 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 45912 | 10 May 2010 09:37:00 | The following information was received via facsimile: On the afternoon of May 5, 2010, the Alabama Office of Radiation Control received a phone call from a representative of ELG Metals in Mobile, Alabama advising the (Alabama Office of Radiation Control) Agency of the discovery of a device containing Am-241. The Agency was advised that the device was in two pieces. A member of the Department's Expanded Radiological Emergency Response Team was dispatched to verify if the sealed source was intact. On the afternoon of May 5, 2010, a field leak test was performed and its was determined that the sealed source was intact. The device was isolated at that time. On the morning of May 7, 2010, a representative of the Alabama Office of Radiation Control visited ELG Metals in Alabama to determine the condition of the device and assist in identifying the source of radiation. The source of radiation was identified as a NDC model 102, serial number 3572 containing 150 millicuries of Am-241. The investigation determined that the device was last owned by United Nonwoven in Mobile and was originally distributed as a General License device to Stems Technical Textiles in Cincinnati, OH. United Nonwoven in Mobile is no longer in business. The source of radiation was isolated and preliminary leak test results in the field indicate that the source is not ruptured. This is all the information that (Alabama Office of Radiation Control) Agency has at this time and is current as of 8:30 am central time, May 10, 2010. 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 45516 | 23 November 2009 11:36:00 | The following report was received via facsimile: On the morning of November 17, 2009, the Alabama Office of Radiation Control received a phone call from a representative of US Steel in Fairfield, Alabama advising the Agency (Alabama Office of Radiation Control) of the discovery of radiation levels in a load of scrap metal. The entire load of scrap was set aside and isolated. On the morning of November 20, 2009, a representative of the Office of Radiation Control visited the USA Steel facility in Fairfield to assist in locating and identifying the source of radiation. The source of radiation was identified as a stainless steel rod approximately 12 inches in length and 3/4 inches in diameter. Maximum radiation levels of 150 millirem/hour were noted at close proximity to one end of the rod. Preliminary field analysis identified the isotope as Cs-137. Based on the configuration and isotope, the source of radiation may be a source rod from a moisture density gauge. The source of radiation was isolated and preliminary leak test results in the field indicate that the source is not ruptured. The Alabama Office of Radiation Control is currently investigating where the source of radiation originated. This is all the information that this Agency (Alabama Office of Radiation Control) has at this time and is current as of 10:30 am central time, November 23, 2009. Alabama Incident 09-43. |
| ENS 45387 | 29 September 2009 15:00:00 | This information was received from the State via facsimile: On the afternoon of September 28, 2009 at approximately 12:15 pm CDT, the Alabama Office of Radiation Control received a phone call from a representative of the Kentucky Radiation Health Program advising the Agency (Alabama Office of Radiation Control) of the discovery of two missing general licensed devices containing radioactive material. The representative of the Kentucky Radiation Health Program indicated that he was advised from Ronan Engineering representatives that two Ronan model RLL-1 source holders each containing 0.63 millicuries of Cs-137 were lost in transit by a commercial carrier. The shipment originated at Southfresh Feed, Demopolis, Alabama on September 14, 2009 with destination to Ronan Engineering, Florence, Kentucky scheduled for delivery on September 17, 2009. The carrier is YRC (Yellow Transportation Inc). According to Ronan Engineering representatives, the RLL-1 source holders are bolted to a pallet. The devices are eight inches wide, including mounting flange and twelve inches long. The housing is 4" x 4" x 12" long. Radioactive material labels, UN identification labels, and Ronan address labels are on the skid and devices. According to YRC representatives, YRC has sent out notifications to over 30 dispatch centers and are contacting customers in an attempt to locate the shipment. The shipment was last accounted for on September 18, 2009 at the YRC, Nashville, TN terminal. This is all the information that this Agency (Alabama Office of Radiation Control) has at this time and is current as of 2:00 pm CDT, September 29, 2009.
At 0750 CDT on 10/01/09, the Alabama Office of Radiation Control was informed that the missing shipment had been misrouted to the YRC Columbus, OH terminal. The shipment is currently enroute to its final destination, i.e., Ronan Engineering located in Florence, KY. Notified R1DO (Miller), FSME (Villamar) and ILTAB 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 45019 | 24 April 2009 16:33:00 | The following information was received via facsimile from the Alabama Office of Radiation Control: On the morning of April 24, 2009 at approximately 1120 am CDT, the Alabama Office of Radiation Control received a phone call from representatives of BF Goodrich in Tuscaloosa, Alabama advising the (State) Agency of the discovery of two missing general licensed devices containing radioactive material. The representatives of BF Goodrich indicated that on April 23, 2009, two NDC model 103 profile gauges containing 150 millicuries each of Am-241 were discovered to be missing. The gauges were installed at the facility but had not been in use for an extended period of time. The shutter for each of the devices were reported as closed. The serial numbers reported were 13311 and 13312. The gauges were possessed and used under a general license registration. Representatives of BF Goodrich continue to investigate the incident and will provide a written report within 30 days. Alabama Incident 09-15 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. |
| ENS 44760 | 9 January 2009 16:19:00 | The State of Alabama was notified by a Wal-Mart corporate representative located in Bentonville, AR, indicating that Wal-Mart was unable to account for 320 tritium exit signs (which are general licensed materials) that were used at one time in Wal-Mart stores throughout the State of Alabama. The Wal-Mart representative informed the State Office that Wal-Mart had exhausted searching for the tritium exit signs and considered them to be lost and/or missing. Additionally, Wal-mart's report also relayed information regarding 21 damaged tritium exit signs that were used at several stores in the State of Alabama. The State of Alabama was provided a listing from corporate Wal-Mart of the store locations along with information on the tritium exit sign manufacturers, model and serial numbers and curie content where known. 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. 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 42708 | 17 July 2006 14:34:00 | The State provided the following information via facsimile: On the morning of July 17, 2006, the Alabama Office of Radiation Control was contacted by Madison County Emergency Management Agency concerning a container found in the middle of a street in Huntsville, Alabama. The incident was originally reported by a passerby to the Huntsville Police Department. The Huntsville Police Department, Huntsville Fire and Rescue Department, and Huntsville HAZMAT unit responded to the call. Also, local news media was at the scene. The item was determined to be a CPN Model MC-3 moisture density gauge (Serial No. M350402559) containing 10 millicuries of Cesium-137 and 50 millicuries of Americium-241/Beryllium. An investigation found that the device was the property of OMI, Inc. of Huntsville, Alabama. OMI Inc. has an Alabama Radioactive Material License No. 1171 to possess and use the device. The licensee was notified by the Alabama Office of Radiation Control of the found gauge and they returned to the scene to pick it up. Preliminary findings indicate that the licensee failed to secure the device by two independent means in the back of the pickup truck and failed to properly block and brace the device during transport. It does not appear that the device suffered any significant damage but the licensee was advised to perform a leak test of the device before placing the unit back in service. Alabama Event 06-36. |
| ENS 42499 | 14 April 2006 08:57:00 | The State provided the following information via facsimile: On the morning of April 13, 2006 at approximately 9:30 am CDT, a Troxler model 3430 moisture density gauge, serial number 22787 containing 8 millicuries of Cs-137 and 40 millicuries of Am-241:Be was damaged while in use at a temporary job site in Eutaw, Alabama when it was run over by a dump truck. The licensee, Gallet & Associates notified the Alabama Office of Radiation Control at 11:55 am. Gallet & Associates is authorized to possess and use radioactive material under their Alabama Radioactive Material License No. 991. The licensee representative stated that they were able to place the sealed source rod in the shielded position and lock the device in the safe position. Radiation levels around the gauge were found to be within the normal range. The gauge was placed back in the transport container and returned to the licensee's facility. The licensee was advised to perform a leak test of the gauge. This is all the information that this Agency has at this time and is current as of 8:00 am CDT, April 14, 2006. Alabama Incident No 06-21 |
| ENS 42200 | 13 December 2005 14:00:00 | The licensee provided the following information via facsimile: On the evening of December 12, 2005 at approximately 6:30 pm CST, a Troxler model 3440 moisture density gauge, serial number 503557, containing 8 millicuries of Cs-137 and 40 millicuries of Am-241/Be was stolen from the back of a pickup truck at a Home Depot parking lot in Birmingham, Alabama. The licensee, Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc., notified the Birmingham Police Department and the Alabama Office of Radiation Control. The Alabama Office of Radiation Control advised the Alabama Emergency Management Agency of the event. Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc. is authorized to possess and use radioactive material under their Alabama Radioactive Material License No. 1404. The licensee representative stated that the transport case was not locked and chained in the bed of the truck as required. The licensee representative did state that the gauge shutter was locked. A pressure meter was stolen in addition to the gauge. The Agency advised the licensee to consider issuing a press release and a reward. The licensee has been able to view surveillance tapes from Home Depot which appear to indicate that the gauge was stolen by individuals riding around the parking lot looking for unsecured items to steal in the back of trucks. The licensee has provided the Birmingham Police Department with a picture of the gauge and is checking with the local businesses and pawn shops. This is all the information that this Agency has at this time and is current as of 11:20 am CST. Alabama Event 05-70.
The following information was received as an update via fax: SUBJECT: Found Gauge Containing Radioactive Material. - Alabama Event 05-70 - UPDATE. On the morning of July 10, 2006, the Alabama Office of Radiation Control was contacted by Alabama Emergency Management Agency concerning a container found behind a convenience store in Irondale, Alabama that had radioactive material markings. The Irondale Fire Department was at the scene. The item was determined to be a Troxler model 3440 moisture density gauge within its transport container. It was determined that this gauge is the one that was stolen on the evening of December 12, 2005 from the back of a Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc. pickup truck at a Home Depot parking lot in Birmingham, Alabama. Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc. is authorized to possess and use radioactive material under their Alabama Radioactive Material License No. 1404. The licensee was notified of the found gauge and took possession of the device that morning. The licensee representative advised the Alabama Office of Radiation Control that the device was intact and confirmed that the device was the one stolen on December 12, 2005. The licensee representative was advised to perform a leak test and obtain the results before placing the gauge back in service. Also, the licensee representative was requested to submit a written report to the Agency describing the event with results of the leak test. It was noted that the serial number for the gauge found (14822) did not match with the serial number of the gauge stolen (503557). The serial numbers were confirmed with the licensee representative who indicated that the 503557 serial number was inaccurate. The correct serial number for this incident should be 14822. Notified R1DO (Meyer), NMSS (Morell) and ILTAB via email. 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. |
| ENS 42166 | 23 November 2005 13:13:00 | The State provided the following information via email: On the morning of November 23, 2005 at 11:10 am, (the) Radiation Safety Officer for S&ME, Inc. of Pelham, Alabama notified the (State) that their 2003 Ford F-150 truck with a CPN model MC-3 moisture density gauge was stolen in the Lakeshore Drive area of Birmingham, Alabama. S&ME, Inc. is authorized to possess and use radioactive material under their Alabama Radioactive Material License No.1273. The event had occurred less than one hour from (the licensee's notification) call and the Birmingham Police Department had been notified and were in route. The stolen gauge was identified as a CPN model MC-3, serial number M300405612, with 10 millicuries of Cs-137 (sealed source serial number 1148GC), and 50 millicuries of Am-241:Be (sealed source serial number 7139NE). (The licensee) indicated that the gauge transport case was chained to the bed of the pickup. (The licensee) indicated that the truck contained other valuable equipment including a cement mixer. (The licensee) is presently in route to the site of the event. This is all the information that (the State) has at this time. 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. |
| ENS 41237 | 2 December 2004 16:14:00 | On the morning of December 2, 2004, the Agency received telephone notification from BP Amoco Chemicals in Decatur, Alabama, that on December 1, 2004 at 3:00 pm, the shutter handle of one their fixed gauges containing radioactive material had broken. The company is licensed to possess and use the device under their Alabama Radioactive Material License No. 256. The shutter of the gauge, an Ohmart model SH-F2-45, serial number 4789GK containing 500 millicuries of Cesium-137 was in the closed position and when the licensee attempted to open the shutter, the shutter was found to be stuck and in the process of trying to open the shutter, the shutter handle broke. The handle is used to lock the shutter in place. Because the shutter was stuck in the closed position, no overexposure of personnel occurred. The device has been isolated and an Ohmart representative has been contacted to package the device and return the unit to Ohmart for repair. |