Event Notification Report for November 09, 2017

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE

The following report was received via e-mail:

"The Corporate Radiation Safety Officer [RSO] notified LDEQ [Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality] that a Troxler Moisture/Density gauge (TMDG) Model # 3411B was run over by a compactor/heavy equipment at one of their temporary job sites. The gauge was left unattended by the operator of the gauge on the construction site while discussing materials results with the jobsite foremen. FCI's [Fugro Consultants Inc.] investigation determined that the cause of the incident was human error and that TMDG sources were not damaged or leaking. The outer housing on the device was damaged. The TMDG was not in use at the time of the incident, the push rod was not extended, and the sources were in the shielded position. The incident happened November 8, 2017, at approximately 8:30 AM. The incident was reported to LDEQ at approximately 3:00 PM.

"The TMDG Model # 3411B, S/N 14273 was loaded with a Cs-137 9 mCi source model # TA-102112, and an Am-241(AmBe) 40 mCi source model # TA-102451.

"The incident happened at a temporary jobsite in West Baton Rouge Parish. The facility: Shintech Ethane Cracker Plant, 26270 Highway 405, Addis, LA. A site RSO is in charge of the investigation, radiation issues, and recommendations for corrective actions. Results are reported to and under the direction of the RSO.

"The damaged gauge was a Troxler, Model 3411B, S/N 14273, loaded with 9 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am/Be. The gauge housing was damaged, but there was no indication the radioactive sources were compromised or leaking. The survey readings were minimal at the surface of the gauge and background in the area of use. The TMDG was loaded into the storage/shipping container and transported to Troxler Electronics Lab., Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge, LA, where the gauge integrity is being evaluated and the sources leak tested. If there is a change in the testing results, the information will be updated.

"LDEQ Radiation Staff Personnel visited the Troxler Electronics Lab facility on Greenwell Spring Road to assess the TMDG situation. The LDEQ Staff found the radiation survey reading were in the normal range for a gauge with the sources in the shielded position.

"This event is being reported under 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2) and LAC 33:XV.341.B.2.

"All equipment involved in this incident were isolated and were not a threat to the general public. There was no threat to FCI of Shintech personnel and it appears to be safe."

LA Event Number: LA 170017

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - POTENTIAL OVER-EXPOSURE

The following was excerpted from an email received from the State of Florida:

The State of Florida received a notice of an over-exposure from the licensee. An employee received a whole body dose of 5019 mR read on her dosimeter on 10/10/2017. The investigation determined that the most likely cause of the over-exposure was due to an unusual number of equipment failures with the synthesis units requiring employee intervention to correct the issues. Dose rates and doses to the employee were not being monitored real time. The employee has been retrained on the standard operating procedures. Alarming personal electronic dosimeters have been purchased and are in use to alert personnel of the radiation fields.

Florida Incident Number: FL17-299