Skip to main content

Event Notification Report for August 19, 2004

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

EVENT REPORTS FOR
08/18/2004 - 08/19/2004

EVENT NUMBERS
40976

General Information or Other
Event Number: 40976
Rep Org: NV DIV OF RAD HEALTH
Licensee: GEOTEK, INC.
Region: 4
City: LAS VEGAS   State: NV
County:
License #: 00-11-0348-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: STAN MARSHALL
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON
Notification Date: 08/23/2004
Notification Time: 12:55 [ET]
Event Date: 08/19/2004
Event Time: 16:30 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 10/18/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
WILLIAM JOHNSON (R4)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
Event Text
NEVADA: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE


"1. Event Report ID No. NV-04-005

"2. License name, address, license No: Geotek, Inc.; 8835 S. Escondido Street, Suite A; Las Vegas, Nevada 89119-3 828, 00-11-0348-01

"3. Nature of Event, Date and time of occurrence: Theft of a portable moisture/density gauge on 8/19/04, about 4:30 pm.

"4. Date notified of event by licensee or non-licensee: August 20, 2004

"5. Radionuclide, activity: Cesium 137-10 millicuries and Americium 241-50 milliCuries

"6. Any exposures (indicate short and long-term effects): Unknown

"7. Sealed source, device, etc. (make, model #, serial #): CPN-131 sealed source, CPN Model MC-3 gauge, serial number M34125837

"8. Leak test information, if applicable: Unknown

"9. Equipment (make, model #, serial #), and clear description of any equipment problems: See # 7 above

"10. Persons involved, consequences: (Deleted), no consequences known

"11. Transportation, identify shipper, package type and ID No.: N/A

"12. Abnormal Occurrence (Y/N): N

"13. Cause and contributing factors: The chain, securing the gauge case in the truck, was cut with bolt cutters and the gauge in its case was stolen

"14. Notifications: patient, physician: N/A

"15.Licensee corrective actions: Will perform investigation to determine root cause

"16.Provide status through resolution (update record when found)

"17. Notifications, local police, FBI and other States; as needed: Clark County Metropolitan Police

"18. Enforcement Actions: Under investigation

"19. Identify any possible generic safety concerns: N/A

"20. Potential for others to experience the save event: Unknown

"This incident was reported to Ms. Linda McLean, NRC Region IV, on 8/20/04 by telefax."

* * * UPDATE AT 1906 EDT ON 10/18/04 FROM LARRY BOSCHULT TO S. SANDIN VIA FAX * * *

"The gauge was discovered in Las Vegas on October 8, 2004, apparently left at a job site. The man who found the gauge recognized what it was from past work experience. The gauge was stored at a fire station until it could be picked up by the owner. The gauge was not in a case but appeared OK and the shutter was closed. The owner confirmed pickup of the gauge on October 12, 2004."

Notified R4DO (Jack Whitten) and NMSS (Bill Reamer).