The following report was received from the Commonwealth of
Virginia via email:
On July 9, 2020, a representative of the Virginia Radioactive Materials Program (VRMP) received a report from a licensee through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management that a portable nuclear moisture /density gauge was damaged at a temporary jobsite in Manassas, Virginia. The VRMP contacted the licensee immediately and learned that a Bobcat V519 forklift struck the gauge (CPN MC1 Elite, Serial # 30950, containing 10 milliCuries of Cesium-137 and 50 milliCuries of Americium-241/Beryllium). The incident occurred while the gauge operator was running a gauge standardization count in front of the forklift. The guide tube of the gauge was bent and the case was scratched. However, the sources were in the shielded position and the shielding integrity was not damaged. The licensee performed a survey of the gauge and readings observed were less than 0.4 mR/hr at three (3) feet distance from the gauge. The gauge was put in its transport box and returned to the Manassas office. Wipe test samples were taken and results are pending. The VRMP is working with the licensee to obtain additional information and this report will be updated once the licensee's investigation is complete and the information is received.
Virginia report no.: VA-20-003