The following information was received from the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania via E-mail:
On January 19, 2016, the Department [Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection] was notified that a moisture density gauge became disabled from damage in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. This event is reportable per 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2).
The gauge was run over by a piece of heavy equipment. This damaged the gauge and it became unusable. The source rod was in the retracted position at the time of the incident and instrument readings confirmed no damage to the source occurred. The gauge was taken out of service and transported to the manufacturer for servicing. No exposures occurred.
Manufacturer: lnstroTek
Gauge Model: 3500 Xplorer
Gauge S/N: 000856
Radioactive Material: Cesium-137: 11 milliCuries, Americium-241: 44 milliCuries
[The cause is attributed to] human error.
The gauge was transported to the manufacturer for repair. A reactive inspection was performed by the Department and verified the validity of the licensee's instrument readings regarding exposure and leaking sources.
Pennsylvania Event Report ID No.: PA160003