The following report was received via email:
The radiographers placed the camera on a pipe, several feet from the ground, to take a shot. They did not secure the camera to the pipe. During the crank out process the camera fell off the pipe, face first, crimping the guide tube and causing the source to become stuck. The company called their radiographer crew located in Jacksonville, FL, to assist them in the retrieval of the source. The RSO and the helper from that office are trained in source retrieval. In the meantime, the area was cordoned off and secured until assistance could arrive. The incident occurred at approximately 1216 EST and completed the source retrieval at approximately 1900 EST. The source was not damaged. The exposure device and drive cable were put out of service and sent to the manufacturer for inspection/repair. The guide tube was damaged due to the fall and was disposed.
The licensee will be submitting a report within a few days with detailed information. The licensee will be in the State for the remainder of the month providing us an opportunity to do an on-site inspection.
Camera: QSA Model 880 Delta
Source: Ir-192, 91 Ci
RSO dose: 310 mrem,
Helper dose: 118 mrem
- * * UPDATE FROM IRVIN GIBSON (VIA EMAIL) TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 1541 EST ON 3/2/18 * * *
After receiving the final report from the licensee, it was concluded that appropriate measures had been taken to limit overexposure from the source and corrective actions were set in place to reduce the likelihood of this incident reoccurring.
The state of Georgia now considers this incident closed.
Notified R1DO (Bickett) and
NMSS Events (email).