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| Entered date | Event description | |
|---|---|---|
| ENS 54952 | 16 October 2020 17:39:00 | The following was received from the Utah Division of Radiation Control (the Division) via email: A portable gauge user failed to adequately secure the transportation case containing a Troxler 3430 gauge when leaving the jobsite. The user noticed the gauge was missing after travelling some distance from the jobsite. The user retraced his path back to the jobsite, but was unable to locate the gauge. The licensee then contacted the Division (at 1422 MDT) to report that the gauge was missing. During a subsequent telephone call (at 1503 MDT), the licensee informed the Division that the gauge had been located during an additional search by the user. The gauge was found just outside the jobsite entrance. The Troxler gauge contains a 40 mCi Am-241/Be sealed source and an 8 mCi Cs-137 sealed source. Utah Event Number: UT 200006 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 54578 | 10 March 2020 16:13:00 | The following information was received from the state of Utah via email: Late in the evening on March 9, 2020, an individual in the pathology lab was examining an excised tissue sample that contained one 286 microCurie Iodine-125 seed used in a radioactive seed localization procedure. During the examination, the seed fell out of the tissue sample and went down the sink drain. The individual blocked off the drain, and the licensee waited until the morning of the 10th to remove the sink's p-trap to look for the seed. The licensee was unable to locate the seed, and assumes that the seed is lost. The Division (Utah Division of Radiation Control) will be performing an on-site investigation soon. Utah Report ID number: UT200002 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 54053 | 7 May 2019 13:57:00 | The following was received via e-mail: During a routine (Utah Division of Radiation Control) inspection on April 26, 2019, the licensee discovered that two planchet sources containing radioactive materials were missing from its secured laboratory. The sources were used to calibrate a wipe counting system that the licensee rarely used. One source contained 9.9 nanoCuries of strontium-90 (Sr-90) and the other source contained 17.81 nanoCuries of plutonium-239 (Pu-239). The activity of the Sr-90 source was well below the exempt quantity threshold. The inspector gave the licensee until May 3, 2019, to search for the sources and to let the inspector know the results of the search. On May 2, 2019, the licensee informed the Division that, after an exhaustive search, the licensee had failed to locate the sources. Following a review of the applicable rules by Division staff on May 6, 2019, the inspector verified with the licensee that the sources were still missing and informed the licensee of the incident notification requirements and the anticipated enforcement activities to be taken by the Division. Event Report No.: UT190001 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 53587 | 7 September 2018 16:00:00 | The following was received from the State of Utah via fax: On September 5, 2018, a portable gauge user from Kleinfelder, Inc. (Radioactive Materials License UT 1800085) was performing compaction measurements at a field location in West Jordan, Utah. After performing a test, the operator placed the Troxler 3440 (s/n 19966) gauge on the tailgate of the licensee's vehicle to move to another location. The gauge fell off the tailgate of the truck, struck the pavement, and cracked the gauge case. The licensee performed exposure rate measurements of the gauge and incident site, and determined that the sealed sources were intact and that no contamination was present at the site. The licensee secured the damaged gauge in the transportation package, transported the gauge to the licensee's facility, and secured the gauge in the licensee's gauge storage cabinet. The licensee is conducting an investigation into the incident, and will submit a written report to the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (Division) within 30 days. Utah Event Report ID No.: UT180007 |
| ENS 51714 | 5 February 2016 17:55:00 | The following was received from Utah via email: On February 2, 2016, the licensee (University of Utah) was performing a 6-month inventory of the H-3 exit signs, when the individual performing the inventory noticed that one of the licensee's signs was missing. The licensee left a message with the University's facilities management office to see if the sign was removed by them. On February 5, 2016, the licensee was informed by the management group that they had not removed the sign. The licensee then determined that the sign was missing and presumed stolen. The licensee then notified the DWMRC (Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control) of the missing sign. The licensee will continue to investigate the incident, and will submit a written report to the DWMRC. The DWMRC will possibly perform an investigation on February 8, 2016. Manufacturer: unknown (possibly Safety Lite Corporation) Model: unknown Serial #: T3478 Possibly acquired by the licensee in 2003. Activity: unknown (presumed >20 Ci of H-3) Utah Event # UT160001 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 51378 | 8 September 2015 17:59:00 | The following information was received via facsimile: The RSO of the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), called (the State of Utah, Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control) to report an incident involving one of their thin lift, Troxler 4640 gauges containing a 9 mCi Cs-137 source. The incident occurred at about 1400 MDT on Friday, September 4, 2015, at a construction site on eastbound I-215 at Redwood Road. A survey vehicle entered the construction zone at freeway speeds and ran over the gauge while the operator was making a measurement. The gauge was 'destroyed,' but the sealed source remained intact. However, the gauge's shielding for the source was demolished. The licensee performed surveys of the accident site and of the vehicle involved. No contamination was found. The licensee transported the damaged gauge and source back to the licensee's gauge storage room. The licensee has ordered a replacement base for the gauge to provide shielding for the source so that the source can be safely shipped back to the gauge manufacturer. The licensee has a report from the gauge operator, reports from eyewitnesses to the incident, and a report from the Highway Patrol. It will take the licensee about a week to compile all of the information into a written report to send to the Division (of Waste Management and Radiation Control). Utah Event Report ID No.: UT150004
The following information was provided by the State of Utah via email: The event took place at 1445 MDT on September 4, 2015 versus 1400 initially reported. The gauge contains 8 mCi Cs-137 versus the 9 mCi that was originally reported and the gauge serial number is 65867. A black 4 door car entered the construction zone and ran over the gauge followed by two other vehicles. The manufactured is sending an appropriate shipping container for the licensee to use when returning the source to the manufacturer. The licensee is authorized to remove portable gauge source rods from their gauges to perform non-routine maintenance on their gauges. Because of this, the licensee has a source rod shield that will be used (per the manufacturer's instructions) to shield the source rod taken from the damaged gauge during transport to the manufacturer. Notified R4DO (Farnholtz) and NMSS Events Notification group via email. |
| ENS 48459 | 30 October 2012 18:59:00 | A Troxler model 3440 portable gauging device (serial number 66163, containing approximately 8 milliCuries of cesium-137, and approximately 40 milliCuries of americium-241/beryllium) was hit by a bull dozer at a temporary jobsite. The source rod containing the Cs-137 source was not extended and remained in the shielded position. The case was cracked but the americium source was not damaged. The RSO arrived at the site and the survey results did not show evidence of contamination. The damaged gauge was placed in the transport case and removed from the jobsite. Utah Event Number: UT-120004
The following information was provided by the State of Utah via email: The licensee's RSO reported to the Division that one of the licensee's gauge operators was at a temporary job site to perform soil moisture density measurements on October 15, 2012. As the gauge operator was preparing to make the first measurement, he looked behind him and saw a bulldozer coming towards him. The gauge operator was able to avoid being run over by the bulldozer, but the portable gauge was run over and damaged. The operator informed the licensee's RSO of the incident, and the RSO went to the temporary job site to investigate the incident. According to the RSO, there were other drivers in other vehicles at the job site when the incident occurred. They had honked their horns to get the attention of the bulldozer driver, but they could not. After clearing everyone out of the area, the RSO verified that the 8 mCi Cs-137 source was in the safe, shielded position, and that the 40 mCi Am-241:Be source was intact. The top cover of the gauge was cracked, and the source rod and depth gauge were bent approximately 15 - 20 degrees off vertical. The RSO was able to get the damaged gauge into the transportation package, and the RSO performed a survey of the area of the accident to verify that no contamination was present. Finding none, the RSO took the damaged gauge back to the licensee's facility in Richfield, Utah. Gauge information: Troxler 3440, s/n 66163 The portable gauge was recently purchased from Troxler in June 2012, and the sources in the gauge had been leak tested by Troxler and no leakage was found. The incident occurred on 10/15/12 at approximately 2:00 PM. The manager got the message late in the day on 10/18/12. Notified the R4DO (Rick Deese) and FSME Event Resource |
| ENS 44758 | 8 January 2009 14:52:00 | The State of Utah was notified by a Wal-Mart corporate representative located in Bentonville, AR, indicating that Wal-Mart was unable to account for 71 tritium exit signs (which are general licensed materials) that were used at one time in Wal-Mart stores throughout the State of Utah. 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. The State of Utah 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 43036 | 6 December 2006 18:04:00 | The State of Utah reported that a member of the general public recovered a Troxler moisture density gauge on a street located near St. George, Utah. Apparently, the licensee was transporting the gauge through this area when it fell off the vehicle. The licensee was not aware that the gauge was no longer in their custody and continued traveling down the road. A member of the general public, a cable company employee, noticed the gauge and its transportation container lying in the street. The individual recovered the gauge, placed it back in the transport container, and contacted the licensee via the phone number on the package. The licensee arrived and took custody of the gauge from the member of the general public. The licensee reported that the source remained in the safe, shielded position. The licensee reported that the gauge was not damaged and is located in their St George, Utah office. The State is expecting additional details regarding the serial number, isotope, or activity of the gauge. |