PNO-II-98-043, on 981015,TN Div of Radiological Health Reported That Individual Working on Equipment Containing Radioactive Gauging Device Received Excessive Hand Exposure on 981014.Device Secured to Prevent Further Exposure
| ML20154P627 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/16/1998 |
| From: | Woodruff R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-II-98-043, PNO-II-98-43, NUDOCS 9810230029 | |
| Download: ML20154P627 (1) | |
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.l. October 16.1998 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-II.98-043 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verificition or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by Region 11 staffin Atlanta, Georgis on this date.
Facility Licensee Emergency Classification Shepherd Tissue Notification of Unusual Event Memphis, Tennessee Alert License No: General Lic Site Area Emergency General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
REPORTED EXCESSIVE HAND EXPOSURE The Tennessee Division of Radiological Health (an agreement State) notified NRC on October 15,1998 that an individual working on equipment containing a radioactive gauging device had received a reported hand exposure ranging from 250 to 400 rads. The hand exposure was received on October 14,1998 at 6:45 p.m. while the individual was working at the device which was mounted on other equipment. Unknown to the exposed individual, another person attempted a startup of the equipment from the control panel. The equipment failed to start; however, the device's shutter opened which allowed an exposure to the individual's hand.
The device is a Honeywell Measurex model 2201 thickness gauge containing 248 millicuries of krypton-85, and is licensed for use under a general license.
The device has been secured to prevent further exposure of personnel, and the State has arrangem'ents to meet with representatives of the device manufacturer on site at the Memphis facility during the afternoon of Friday, October 16,1998, to recreate the ciremnstances under which the device malfunction occurred, and to evaluate the potential dose to the individual's hand.
The State related that assistance from NRC is not needed at this point, ,
and that NRC would be kept informed of any event developments and results I of their investigation.
This information is current as of 12:00 noon, Friday, October 16, 1998.
Contact:
R.L. Woodruff (404)562-4704- L o.
9810230029 981016
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