The following report was received via e-mail:
On 4/3/19, during preparation to conduct maintenance on a coal chute, workers prepared to isolate a gauge from service to prevent worker exposure to the beam. It was discovered that the gauge was missing its isolation shutter. The RSO [Radiation Safety Officer] and plant personnel conducted an extensive search and investigation of the missing shutter, but it could not be located. A six-month physical inventory of the facilities devices was conducted on 3/26/19 and 3/27/19 and there was no notation of any problems with this gauge on the inventory sheets. The gauge involved is a Texas Nuclear Model 5189 with a 20 mCi Cesium-137 source.
The RSO and job supervisor held a discussion and decided that they could use the shutter from another Model 5189 gauge in the vicinity. The second gauge is used in a continuously operating process line and would have the shutter open for operations. The area around the second gauge will have signage and barricades installed to safely mark the area if future work activities will take place in that location. The shutter from the second gauge was placed on the first gauge and it was tagged out for maintenance of the coal chute. The second gauge remains in the open position during operation of the second process line.
The RSO contacted ThermoFisher Scientific and discovered that because of the age of the gauge, replacement parts could not be obtained. They were provided with a list of third-party service providers to assist with proper repair or removal and disposal of the gauge. The licensee will explore options and inform ODH [Ohio Department of Health] of the actions to be taken.
Ohio Item Number: OH190005