Event Notification Report for March 11, 2016
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
03/10/2016 - 03/11/2016
EVENT NUMBERS
51786
Agreement State
Event Number: 51786
Rep Org: NC DIV OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: FROEHLING & ROBERTSON
Region: 1
City: KNIGHTSDALE State: NC
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: LEE COX
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Licensee: FROEHLING & ROBERTSON
Region: 1
City: KNIGHTSDALE State: NC
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: LEE COX
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 03/11/2016
Notification Time: 19:50 [ET]
Event Date: 03/11/2016
Event Time: 15:34 [EST]
Last Update Date: 03/11/2016
Notification Time: 19:50 [ET]
Event Date: 03/11/2016
Event Time: 15:34 [EST]
Last Update Date: 03/11/2016
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
ANTHONY DIMITRIADIS (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
ANTHONY DIMITRIADIS (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following report was received via e-mail:
"A private company reported a soil density meter was damaged and an increase in background radiation was detected due to possible shielding damage.
"Event terminated. Gauge has been safely transported back to the manufacturer, Instrotek at 1905 [EST]. Radiation surveys at the scene indicated sources were intact and not leaking. Swipes on the source rod, device and equipment confirmed no contamination at the scene. Scene has been released for general public use.
"Radioactive Material Licensee: Froehling & Robertson
Incident Location: 1202 Redwood Valley Lane, Knightdale, NC
Gauge: Instrotek 3500
Radioactive Material: 10 mCi Cesium 137; 40 mCi Americium 241, Beryllium
"Summary:
Radiation Protection Staff arrived on site at 1720 [EST].
Gauge housing was found to be damaged along with a bent source rod.
When staff approached the gauge, at 5 feet, the readings were 5mR/hr (milliRem per hour) indicating that sources were not properly shielded.
When staff surveyed the bottom of the gauge at the shutter, the source rod fell out backwards from the top of the device.
All items were moved to survey the area around where the accident occurred to see if the sources had fallen out in the compacted soil. They had not.
Readings were background for the area of 25 to 30 uR/hr (microRem per hour) indicating the sources were still in the source rod.
Staff put the source rod back in the gauge housing.
Readings at the bottom of the device with the source rod in place, showed readings of 150 to 200 mR/hr. This confirmed the sources were in the rod, but indicated the shutter shielding the sources was not functioning properly.
The reassembled gauge was placed back in the certified DOT shipping container and properly blocked and braced in the licensee's (Froehling & Robertson) truck.
Staff followed the licensee to Instrotek where the device was safely stored until the manufacturer can assess the damage.
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission notified via this email
Radiation Protection Section will continue its compliance investigation of why this event occurred.
Radiation Protection Section will update the National Material Event Database.
Pictures to be uploaded into event reporting.
No further updates will be given."
The following report was received via e-mail:
"A private company reported a soil density meter was damaged and an increase in background radiation was detected due to possible shielding damage.
"Event terminated. Gauge has been safely transported back to the manufacturer, Instrotek at 1905 [EST]. Radiation surveys at the scene indicated sources were intact and not leaking. Swipes on the source rod, device and equipment confirmed no contamination at the scene. Scene has been released for general public use.
"Radioactive Material Licensee: Froehling & Robertson
Incident Location: 1202 Redwood Valley Lane, Knightdale, NC
Gauge: Instrotek 3500
Radioactive Material: 10 mCi Cesium 137; 40 mCi Americium 241, Beryllium
"Summary:
Radiation Protection Staff arrived on site at 1720 [EST].
Gauge housing was found to be damaged along with a bent source rod.
When staff approached the gauge, at 5 feet, the readings were 5mR/hr (milliRem per hour) indicating that sources were not properly shielded.
When staff surveyed the bottom of the gauge at the shutter, the source rod fell out backwards from the top of the device.
All items were moved to survey the area around where the accident occurred to see if the sources had fallen out in the compacted soil. They had not.
Readings were background for the area of 25 to 30 uR/hr (microRem per hour) indicating the sources were still in the source rod.
Staff put the source rod back in the gauge housing.
Readings at the bottom of the device with the source rod in place, showed readings of 150 to 200 mR/hr. This confirmed the sources were in the rod, but indicated the shutter shielding the sources was not functioning properly.
The reassembled gauge was placed back in the certified DOT shipping container and properly blocked and braced in the licensee's (Froehling & Robertson) truck.
Staff followed the licensee to Instrotek where the device was safely stored until the manufacturer can assess the damage.
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission notified via this email
Radiation Protection Section will continue its compliance investigation of why this event occurred.
Radiation Protection Section will update the National Material Event Database.
Pictures to be uploaded into event reporting.
No further updates will be given."