ENS 43707
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
20:30 Oct 8, 2007 | |
| Title | Troxler Moisture Density Gauge Damaged |
| Event Description | {{#Wiki_filter:A Troxler moisture density gauge was damaged by construction equipment in Midlothian, VA (NW corner of Midlothian Turnpike and Route 288). The plastic shell was damaged, but there was no damage to the rod or housing. The licensee conducted a leak test and is awaiting results. No abnormal radiation levels were detected on the outside of the housing. The licensee is in possession of the gauge and is planning to ship the gauge back to the manufacturer for repair.
Troxler Model 3430 S/N: 26757 Sources: 40 milliCurie Am/Be & 8 milliCurie Cs-137 Source S/N: 47-22173 & 75-8778 (licensee uncertain which S/N is paired with each source)
The source has been returned to Troxler. The leak test certificate indicates that the source is leaking. However, the leakage is within regulatory limits, and the source may remain in use. On October 10, 2007, John D. Longest the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for the Richmond office of ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC (ECS) responded to a call where one of our on-site technicians reported a damaged portable nuclear density gauge. The gauge in question was a Troxler 3430 (SN # 26757) and had been properly signed out that morning by ECS Technician [DELETED], an authorized gauge user. The call was received at approximately 1645 HRS and incident occurred at approximately 1630 HRS. The project site is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Midlothian Turnpike (Route 60) and Route 288 in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Based off of GPS locations for previous tests conducted at the site of the incident, location of the incident is approximately (Longitude: 77� 41'22.963"W - Latitude: 37�30'49.867"N). Upon arrival, at approximately 1715 HRS, it was observed that an area surrounding the damaged gauge had already been cordoned off with caution tape, in a 15 foot radius. Weather was noted to be 80�F, clear skies, calm wind. The gauge had clearly been damaged and the rod was extended downward. The equipment operator (R.G. Griffith employee [DELETED]) was moved after the incident to another part of the site to fill out an 'Employee/ Witness Statement Form' and was with the R.G. Griffith Safety Officer [DELETED]. ECS Technician [DELETED] was approximately 50 feet north of the gauge filling out an "Employee/ Witness Statement Form" for R.G. Griffith. Copies of the two "Employee/ Witness Statement Form" papers are attached. It was requested that [DELETED] and [DELETED] be interviewed, after their paperwork had been completed and prior to leaving the site for this investigation. Utilizing a 'Troxalert' Radiation Monitor, calibrated July 18, 2007 readings were immediately taken at the following distances: 50 feet - 0 mR/hr 25 feet - 0 mR/hr 10 feet - 0 mR/hr 5 feet - 0 mR/hr 1 foot - 1.5 mR/hr 0 feet - 2.5 - 10 mR/hr (high value against gauge at source end) At this point it was accessed that the source rod and housing were intact. Source rod was in the downward 'test' position could be retracted though shutter block and locking mechanism would not engage on its own. The source rod was manually secured so that source was housed while placing gauge into its transport box. Prior to closing transport box source rod, was secured so that source remained within housing during transport. Later the shutter block was able to be closed. Gauge was properly locked and secured in transport vehicle. Gauge was returned to the office of ECS in Richmond, VA, to its designated storage room. On October 9, 2007, at approximately 1500 HRS, a call was made to the toll-free number posted on the NRC website (1-800-368-5642). The call was transferred to 'public affairs' when a request to report the incident was made. After being transferred to 'public affairs,' information regarding the gauge serial number, type and pertinent details regarding the incident were provided. A second call reporting the incident was made at 1422 HRS on October 10, 2007 (Event # 43707). After securing the gauge in a privately owned vehicle, it was noted by [DELETED] of R.G. Griffith that the equipment operator had left the site and was headed home and couldn't provide any additional statement at that time. Based on the verbal and written statement collected by ECS Technician [DELETED] as well as a written statement provided by R.G. Griffith equipment operator [DELETED], the following occurred during the incident. Technician had been on-site, in the general vicinity of incident location for majority of working day observing and testing compaction of soils per ASTM Specification D-2922. As required by the site, [the technician] was wearing proper safety equipment including OSHA compliant boots, hard hat, safety goggles and fluorescent orange vest. While not in operation, the gauge was properly secured in vehicle. Compaction of fill was being accomplished utilizing an 815 roller/ dozer, generally running in a north-to-south direction across a fill area, approximately 150 foot by 250 foot. [The technician] noted that several passes had been made in an area and decided to begin testing. [He] removed scrape plate, hammer, drill pin and extracting tool from his vehicle, to prepare an area for testing, gauge remained secured in his vehicle during this preparation. After returning preparation materials to his vehicle, the gauge was taken to previously prepared test location. At this time it was noted that a Volvo truck had unloaded another pile of fill to be spread and compacted. [The technician] began testing, took about three steps back from his gauge crouched down so he could see on the display panel when test was done, at this time he was facing away from the compaction equipment. In preparation to spread newly placed fill, the 815 roller turned into a east-west direction, unaware of [the technician's] location. The operator noted that after turning [the technician] was out of his visibility in a 'blind spot'. After a few moments [the technician] looked back at the 815 roller, as he had heard the reverse warning (beeping) on the equipment. When he realized that the operator wasn't slowing down, he began jumping, waiving and shouting in an attempt to alert the driver. As the roller continued towards him, [The technician] tried to extract the gauge. He was unable to move it quickly because the source rod was lowered. [The technician] leapt out of the path of the 815 roller to avoid personal harm unable to prevent the gauge from being run over. After the operator saw [the technician], he stopped and was shown what had just happened. [The technician] insisted that they begin roping the area off. [The technician] stated that he was asked, but declined, to remove the gauge from the work area so compaction could continue. Operator continued making passes elsewhere, before returning his equipment to its storage location at the front end of the site. The gauge has been leak tested and results have been attached. Documentation of gauge disposal through Troxler Electronic Laboratories. Inc. have been attached as well. Prior to shipment to manufacturer for disposal, readings were taken 3 feet (1 meter) outside of transport box and were recorded at 0.6 mR/hr. R1DO (Holody) notified. }}[[Event description::Description::{{#Regex_clear:A Troxler moisture density gauge was damaged by construction equipment in Midlothian, VA (NW corner of Midlothian Turnpike and Route 288). The plastic shell was damaged, but there was no damage to the rod or housing. The licensee conducted a leak test and is awaiting results. No abnormal radiation levels were detected on the outside of the housing. The licensee is in possession of the gauge and is planning to ship the gauge back to the manufacturer for repair. Troxler Model 3430 S/N: 26757 Sources: 40 milliCurie Am/Be & 8 milliCurie Cs-137 Source S/N: 47-22173 & 75-8778 (licensee uncertain which S/N is paired with each source)
The source has been returned to Troxler. The leak test certificate indicates that the source is leaking. However, the leakage is within regulatory limits, and the source may remain in use. On October 10, 2007, John D. Longest the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for the Richmond office of ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC (ECS) responded to a call where one of our on-site technicians reported a damaged portable nuclear density gauge. The gauge in question was a Troxler 3430 (SN # 26757) and had been properly signed out that morning by ECS Technician [DELETED], an authorized gauge user. The call was received at approximately 1645 HRS and incident occurred at approximately 1630 HRS. The project site is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Midlothian Turnpike (Route 60) and Route 288 in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Based off of GPS locations for previous tests conducted at the site of the incident, location of the incident is approximately (Longitude: 77� 41'22.963"W - Latitude: 37�30'49.867"N). Upon arrival, at approximately 1715 HRS, it was observed that an area surrounding the damaged gauge had already been cordoned off with caution tape, in a 15 foot radius. Weather was noted to be 80�F, clear skies, calm wind. The gauge had clearly been damaged and the rod was extended downward. The equipment operator (R.G. Griffith employee [DELETED]) was moved after the incident to another part of the site to fill out an 'Employee/ Witness Statement Form' and was with the R.G. Griffith Safety Officer [DELETED]. ECS Technician [DELETED] was approximately 50 feet north of the gauge filling out an "Employee/ Witness Statement Form" for R.G. Griffith. Copies of the two "Employee/ Witness Statement Form" papers are attached. It was requested that [DELETED] and [DELETED] be interviewed, after their paperwork had been completed and prior to leaving the site for this investigation. Utilizing a 'Troxalert' Radiation Monitor, calibrated July 18, 2007 readings were immediately taken at the following distances: 50 feet - 0 mR/hr 25 feet - 0 mR/hr 10 feet - 0 mR/hr 5 feet - 0 mR/hr 1 foot - 1.5 mR/hr 0 feet - 2.5 - 10 mR/hr (high value against gauge at source end) At this point it was accessed that the source rod and housing were intact. Source rod was in the downward 'test' position could be retracted though shutter block and locking mechanism would not engage on its own. The source rod was manually secured so that source was housed while placing gauge into its transport box. Prior to closing transport box source rod, was secured so that source remained within housing during transport. Later the shutter block was able to be closed. Gauge was properly locked and secured in transport vehicle. Gauge was returned to the office of ECS in Richmond, VA, to its designated storage room. On October 9, 2007, at approximately 1500 HRS, a call was made to the toll-free number posted on the NRC website (1-800-368-5642). The call was transferred to 'public affairs' when a request to report the incident was made. After being transferred to 'public affairs,' information regarding the gauge serial number, type and pertinent details regarding the incident were provided. A second call reporting the incident was made at 1422 HRS on October 10, 2007 (Event # 43707). After securing the gauge in a privately owned vehicle, it was noted by [DELETED] of R.G. Griffith that the equipment operator had left the site and was headed home and couldn't provide any additional statement at that time. Based on the verbal and written statement collected by ECS Technician [DELETED] as well as a written statement provided by R.G. Griffith equipment operator [DELETED], the following occurred during the incident. Technician had been on-site, in the general vicinity of incident location for majority of working day observing and testing compaction of soils per ASTM Specification D-2922. As required by the site, [the technician] was wearing proper safety equipment including OSHA compliant boots, hard hat, safety goggles and fluorescent orange vest. While not in operation, the gauge was properly secured in vehicle. Compaction of fill was being accomplished utilizing an 815 roller/ dozer, generally running in a north-to-south direction across a fill area, approximately 150 foot by 250 foot. [The technician] noted that several passes had been made in an area and decided to begin testing. [He] removed scrape plate, hammer, drill pin and extracting tool from his vehicle, to prepare an area for testing, gauge remained secured in his vehicle during this preparation. After returning preparation materials to his vehicle, the gauge was taken to previously prepared test location. At this time it was noted that a Volvo truck had unloaded another pile of fill to be spread and compacted. [The technician] began testing, took about three steps back from his gauge crouched down so he could see on the display panel when test was done, at this time he was facing away from the compaction equipment. In preparation to spread newly placed fill, the 815 roller turned into a east-west direction, unaware of [the technician's] location. The operator noted that after turning [the technician] was out of his visibility in a 'blind spot'. After a few moments [the technician] looked back at the 815 roller, as he had heard the reverse warning (beeping) on the equipment. When he realized that the operator wasn't slowing down, he began jumping, waiving and shouting in an attempt to alert the driver. As the roller continued towards him, [The technician] tried to extract the gauge. He was unable to move it quickly because the source rod was lowered. [The technician] leapt out of the path of the 815 roller to avoid personal harm unable to prevent the gauge from being run over. After the operator saw [the technician], he stopped and was shown what had just happened. [The technician] insisted that they begin roping the area off. [The technician] stated that he was asked, but declined, to remove the gauge from the work area so compaction could continue. Operator continued making passes elsewhere, before returning his equipment to its storage location at the front end of the site. The gauge has been leak tested and results have been attached. Documentation of gauge disposal through Troxler Electronic Laboratories. Inc. have been attached as well. Prior to shipment to manufacturer for disposal, readings were taken 3 feet (1 meter) outside of transport box and were recorded at 0.6 mR/hr. R1DO (Holody) notified. }}| ]] |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Ecs Mid-Atlantic Midlothian, Virginia (NRC Region 1) | |
| License number: | 45-25239-01 |
| Organization: | Ecs Mid-Atlantic |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2), Licensed Material Protection Equipment Failure | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+41.87 h1.745 days <br />0.249 weeks <br />0.0574 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Don Longest 14:22 Oct 10, 2007 |
| NRC Officer: | Mark Abramovitz |
| Last Updated: | Nov 14, 2007 |
| 43707 - NRC Website | |
Ecs Mid-Atlantic with 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2) | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 437072007-10-08T20:30:0008 October 2007 20:30:00
[Table view]10 CFR 30.50(b)(2) Troxler Moisture Density Gauge Damaged 2007-10-08T20:30:00 | |