At 2000 on 11/18/05 during a radiography job at P2S in Sand Springs, OK, a radiographer received a 23
Rem calculated dose. He went out to change the camera film when he thought his assistant had fully retracted the source. The radiographer was in front of the camera for approximately 3 minutes. The licensee stated that the cause of the
overexposure was miscommunication.
When the radiographer was on his way to the camera he set down his radiation detection instrument and answered a cell phone call. At the same time the assistant who was responsible for retracting the source was sending a text message on his cell phone. The radiographer's alarming rate meter was turned off. The camera was a SPEC Model 150 with a 66 Curie Iridium-192 source. The camera was tested after the event and found to be in good operating condition.
Both the radiographer and the assistant have been suspended pending further investigation. The dosimeters of the individuals have been sent to be read and readings should be available on 11/21/05. The licensees radiation safety officer made the report to the state after taking both individuals to the hospital for blood tests as a precautionary measure. On 11/21/05 the state will investigate this incident further at the jobsite.
- * * UPDATE FROM STATE (M. BRODERICK) TO M. RIPLEY 1515 ET 02/16/06 * * *
The results of a chromosome analysis performed on a blood sample indicated that the best estimate of the radiographer's exposure as a result of the event was 4 Rem (with a 95% confidence interval of 0 - 17 Rem). The licensee states that the blood analysis results are in agreement with the radiographer's dosimetry, and the radiographers dose for the year is calculated to be 6.9 Rem.
Notified R4 DO (D. Graves) and
NMSS EO (G. Morell)