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| Entered date | Event description | |
|---|---|---|
| ENS 56233 | 18 November 2022 16:31:00 | The following information was provided by the The Arkansas Department of Health (The Department) via email: The Department received notification on October 7, 2022, from licensee GTS, Inc., that a Troxler gauge model 3430 had been rolled over by a bulldozer while performing routine measurements at a construction site. As a result of the incident, the source was pulled from its testing position and exposed. The technician created a thirty (30) foot containment barrier and notified his company's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). The RSO mobilized to the event location and contacted the Department. The Department's inspectors visited the licensee on October 7, 2022, to investigate the event. Surveys at the exterior of the transport container were determined to be 3 to 5 mR per hour. Surveys performed inside of the transport container were measured to be a maximum of 27 mR per hour at a location close to the surface of the shielded source. The RSO returned the handle to the 'safe position' and both radiation sources were placed in the transport box. The gauge was transported back to the designated radiation storage area located at the GTS Little Rock Office in Alexander, Arkansas. The gauge was swabbed for a leak test and then sealed in its transport case and secured in the storage area. Sand and additional temporary screening were installed surrounding the area. GTS then contacted Instrotek Companies for disposal options. On November 9, 2022, the gauge was shipped back to the manufacturer. The licensee performed leak tests of the sources, surveys of the gauge transport container, and surveys of the storage location. The Occupational Radiation Exposure Report from October 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, shows 0 mrem for the RSO and technicians. Leak test certificates showed no leakage. Upon review of the licensee's 30 day report, received November 16, 2022, it was noted that the dosimetry badge worn by the RSO during the retraction and transportation of the source showed no measurable dose. The report contained leak test results for the sources both on the day of the event, October 7, 2022, and after the event on November 1, 2022. The results for the leak tests in both instances were measured to be below 185 becquerel (0.005 microcuries). On October 10, 2022, the company conducted a thorough review of the incident and a safety session was held with the gauge operator involved in the incident prior to the operator returning to field work using a nuclear density gauge. The session included collaborative thinking and planning in performing nuclear density testing safety on unique job sites, especially those with confined work environments. Additional topics discussed included utilizing verbal communication with equipment operators prior to accessing a work area, utilizing a 'spotter' while performing testing, and always maintaining possession and visual observation of a nuclear density gauge while the gauge is not inside the transport case in the vehicle. The Department considers this event to be closed. Arkansas Event Number: AR-2022-008 |
| ENS 52792 | 7 June 2017 12:13:00 | The following information was provided by the State of Arkansas via email: During routine shutter checks performed by the licensee on June 6, 2017, the licensee noted that the shutter would not close. The gauge is identified as Berthold Model LB 300 L source holder containing 0.189 milliCuries of Cobalt-60. The gauge remains operational in the normal use location and the RSO will place additional signs in the area. No maintenance is planned in the area that would require closing of the shutter. The RSO has performed a radiation survey to ensure that radiation exposure is maintained at less than 2 mR/hr in the vicinity of the gauge. The licensee has contacted the technical representative who was expected to be at the facility on July 6, 2017, for other maintenance and will examine this gauge. In accordance with RH-1502.f.2 (10 CFR 30.50(b)(2)) the malfunctioning shutter is reportable within 24 hours. The State of Arkansas is awaiting a written report from the licensee and final disposition information for the gauge. The State's event number is AR-2017-003.
The following was received via e-mail: A report submitted on July 3, 2017, indicated that the cause of the shutter failure was the exposure to alkaline pulp material and the carbon steel construction of the source holder. The source holder was replaced on January 9, 2018 with a comparable source holder constructed of stainless steel. The Department (Arkansas Department of Health) considers this event to be closed. Notified R4DO (Groom) and NMSS Events Notification via email. |
| ENS 51314 | 12 August 2015 16:30:00 | The following report was received from the State of Arkansas via email: (The licensee) discovered two fixed gauges, manufactured by Kay-Ray, model #GRP-6082, serial #6124 (digester 2) and #6125 (digester 3) with a 5 Curie Cs-137 source were damaged sometime in May 2014. The Department (Arkansas Department of Health) became aware of the repair during a routine inspection of the plant. According to the field service report, repairs were performed on June 5, 2014. The repairs were to the lead shielding around source holders which was separated from the original fabrication and needed to be refastened. The field service report indicated the shutter was not closed during the repairs. Basic evaluations at the time of inspection, by (licensee) Radiation Control Health Physicists, indicated there were no public exposure levels above the regulatory requirement. The gauges are mounted on a steel metal box. The gauges are located on the 3rd floor 10 feet above the floor. Gauges are in cages inaccessible without a ladder. It is believed a small field of radiation was present but there were no significant exposures to the public. The State is awaiting a written report from the licensee and will continue to investigate this event. The State will update this event as more information becomes available. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality office was notified. Arkansas Event Number: ARK-2015-011
The following was received via email: The written report dated March 3, 2016, from Clearwater Paper Corporation, detailed corrective actions to ensure repairs to the lead shielding around source holders were sufficient to prevent radiation exposure. A licensed contractor inspected all sources for physical integrity and validated their findings. There was no radiation leakage from any of the fixed gauges to include the two in question. The licensee confirms no exposure to the public. The State considers this event closed. Notified R4DO (Proulx) and NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION via email. |