Event Notification Report for October 26, 2012
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
10/25/2012 - 10/26/2012
EVENT NUMBERS
48489
Agreement State
Event Number: 48489
Rep Org: PA BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: EARTH ENGINEERING INC
Region: 1
City: EAST NORRITON State: PA
County:
License #: PA-1040
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAVID ALLARD
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL
Licensee: EARTH ENGINEERING INC
Region: 1
City: EAST NORRITON State: PA
County:
License #: PA-1040
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAVID ALLARD
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL
Notification Date: 11/07/2012
Notification Time: 14:05 [ET]
Event Date: 10/26/2012
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/07/2012
Notification Time: 14:05 [ET]
Event Date: 10/26/2012
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/07/2012
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
GLENN DENTEL (R1DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCE (EMAI)
GLENN DENTEL (R1DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCE (EMAI)
AGREEMENT STATE - RECOVERED LOST PORTABLE GAUGE
The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via fax:
"NOTIFICATIONS: On October 31, 2012, the PA DEP Southwest Regional Office received a call from the licensee regarding an event that took place between October 26 and October 31, 2012.
"EVENT DESCRIPTION: An employee of the licensee used a portable gauge on October 26th in the south Philadelphia area. He then secured it in his car that evening. The car remained parked near his home until the morning of October 31. The licensee received a call from an unrelated construction worker who found the gauge hidden between shrubberies near a hotel in Philadelphia. The portable gauge was retrieved by Earth Engineering and was found intact but water logged.
"The device is identified as:
"Manufacturer: Troxler
"Model #: 3440 Serial #: 21391
"Isotope: Cs-137 Activity: 8 mCi
" ** Source Serial Number: 35-2906
"Isotope: Am-241 Activity: 40 mCi
" **Source Serial Number: 47-16682
"CAUSE OF THE EVENT: Human error. After a reactive investigation and interview by DEP with the licensee on November 1, 2012, it was determined the gauge was not properly secured within the vehicle, and the vehicle my have been unlocked.
"ACTIONS: The gauge is currently secured with the licensee and will be inspected by a vender before use."
Event Report Number: PA120039
The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via fax:
"NOTIFICATIONS: On October 31, 2012, the PA DEP Southwest Regional Office received a call from the licensee regarding an event that took place between October 26 and October 31, 2012.
"EVENT DESCRIPTION: An employee of the licensee used a portable gauge on October 26th in the south Philadelphia area. He then secured it in his car that evening. The car remained parked near his home until the morning of October 31. The licensee received a call from an unrelated construction worker who found the gauge hidden between shrubberies near a hotel in Philadelphia. The portable gauge was retrieved by Earth Engineering and was found intact but water logged.
"The device is identified as:
"Manufacturer: Troxler
"Model #: 3440 Serial #: 21391
"Isotope: Cs-137 Activity: 8 mCi
" ** Source Serial Number: 35-2906
"Isotope: Am-241 Activity: 40 mCi
" **Source Serial Number: 47-16682
"CAUSE OF THE EVENT: Human error. After a reactive investigation and interview by DEP with the licensee on November 1, 2012, it was determined the gauge was not properly secured within the vehicle, and the vehicle my have been unlocked.
"ACTIONS: The gauge is currently secured with the licensee and will be inspected by a vender before use."
Event Report Number: PA120039