ENS 49485
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
18:25 Oct 27, 2013 | |
| Title | Agreement State Report - Portable Moisture Density Gauge Damaged at Worksite |
| Event Description | The following report was received from the North Dakota Department of Health via e-mail:
A portable moisture/density gauge possessed by ALLWEST Testing & Engineering, LLC of Hayden, Idaho containing a 10 mCi Cesium-137 sealed source and a 50 mCi Americium-241:Beryllium sealed source was crushed by a piece of heavy equipment (excavator bucket) at a temporary job site located southwest of Dickinson, North Dakota. The portable gauge user had failed to maintain constant surveillance of the gauge. Upon observing the heavy equipment running into the gauge, the user flagged down the heavy equipment operator to halt his activity. The operator lifted the bucket off the gauge and set it to the side. The gauge user instructed the operator to relocate to an area approximately 150 feet from the damaged gauge. Subsequently, he phoned his immediate supervisor and the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for guidance. An area at an approximate distance of 150 feet in three directions from the damaged gauge was roped off with 'Caution Radiation' tape. The fourth direction (east) consisted of a large hill of soil not readily accessible. 1:02 PM (MST): The gauge user placed a call to the ND State Radio emergency response number to report the event. 1:08 PM (MST): ND State Radio personnel notified the Stark County Emergency Manager (SCEM) who in turn notified the Southwestern District Health Unit Executive Officer (HUEO). 1:10 pm (MST): The HUEO notified the ND Department of Health Radiation Control Program Manager (RCPM) of the event. The RCPM informed the HUEO the gauge should remain in place until radiation surveys had been performed and the site evaluated by his department. 2:17 pm (MST): The HUEO and the SCEM were present at the event site. They met with the gauge user and the Westcon, Inc. HSE Coordinator for a briefing of the event. The HUEO performed an initial radiation survey using a calibrated SE International, Inc. Model Radiation Alert Inspector survey instrument (SN 35756). The survey was performed beginning at the outer boundary moving inwards toward the damaged gauge. The reading at a distance of 4 feet from the source was 0.063 mR/hr. The background reading was 0.013 mR/hr. The HUEO and SCEM instructed the gauge user to leave the gauge in place and wait for North Dakota Department of Health personnel to be on site the next morning to evaluate the site. Visual assessment of the gauge showed evidence of the two source housings to be physically intact. October 28, 2013: 6:00 am (MST): As instructed by ALLWEST Testing & Engineering's RSO, the gauge user relocated the damaged gauge and associated fragments to the gauge transport case. The case was secured in the box of his pickup truck. 9:00 am (MST): North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) personnel were on site to perform interviews, radiation surveys and evaluation of the site. Radiation surveys were performed by the NDDoH using a calibrated Ludlum Model 19 microR meter (SN 270378) and a Canberra Dineutron neutron meter (SN 18327). The background readings were 12 microR/hr and 0.027 mR/hr respectively. The highest gauge shipping container surface readings were 3.1 mR/hr (gamma) and 0.09 mR/hr (neutron). Surveys of the pathway from the initial impact of the bucket to the gauge's final resting spot revealed background readings. A leak test of the gauge was performed and shipped via overnight express for analysis. The leak test results demonstrated no leakage. The gauge was transported by licensee personnel back to their Idaho office to make arrangements for final disposal. Throughout the event, the gauge user had not worn personnel dosimetry. Exposure calculations will be performed by the RSO.
The North Dakota Department of Health has completed their investigation. Several non-compliances were identified during the reactive inspection. A letter of apparent non-compliance was sent to the licensee. Corrective actions will be required to be submitted in response to this letter. The North Dakota Department of Health is recommending the LER (License Event Report) for closure. Notified the R4DO (Vasquez), R1DO (Cook), and FSME Events Resource via email. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Allwest Testing & Engineering Hayden, Idaho (NRC Region 4) | |
| License number: | 11-27637-01 |
| Organization: | North Dakota Department Of Health |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+67.93 h2.83 days <br />0.404 weeks <br />0.0931 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | David Stradinger 14:21 Oct 30, 2013 |
| NRC Officer: | Pete Snyder |
| Last Updated: | Dec 6, 2013 |
| 49485 - NRC Website | |
Allwest Testing & Engineering with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 494852013-10-27T18:25:00027 October 2013 18:25:00
[Table view]Agreement State Agreement State Report - Portable Moisture Density Gauge Damaged at Worksite 2013-10-27T18:25:00 | |