Event Notification Report for November 28, 2022

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED TROXLER GAUGE

The following information was provided by the The Arkansas Department of Health (The Department) via email:

"The Department received notification on October 7, 2022, from licensee GTS, Inc., that a Troxler gauge model 3430 had been rolled over by a bulldozer while performing routine measurements at a construction site. As a result of the incident, the source was pulled from its testing position and exposed.

"The technician created a thirty (30) foot containment barrier and notified his company's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). The RSO mobilized to the event location and contacted the Department.

"The Department's inspectors visited the licensee on October 7, 2022, to investigate the event. Surveys at the exterior of the transport container were determined to be 3 to 5 mR per hour. Surveys performed inside of the transport container were measured to be a maximum of 27 mR per hour at a location close to the surface of the shielded source.

"The RSO returned the handle to the 'safe position' and both radiation sources were placed in the transport box. The gauge was transported back to the designated radiation storage area located at the GTS Little Rock Office in Alexander, Arkansas. The gauge was swabbed for a leak test and then sealed in its transport case and secured in the storage area. Sand and additional temporary screening were installed surrounding the area. GTS then contacted Instrotek Companies for disposal options. On November 9, 2022, the gauge was shipped back to the manufacturer. The licensee performed leak tests of the sources, surveys of the gauge transport container, and surveys of the storage location.

"The Occupational Radiation Exposure Report from October 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, shows 0 mrem for the RSO and technicians. Leak test certificates showed no leakage.

"Upon review of the licensee's 30 day report, received November 16, 2022, it was noted that the dosimetry badge worn by the RSO during the retraction and transportation of the source showed no measurable dose.

"The report contained leak test results for the sources both on the day of the event, October 7, 2022, and after the event on November 1, 2022. The results for the leak tests in both instances were measured to be below 185 becquerel (0.005 microcuries).

"On October 10, 2022, the company conducted a thorough review of the incident and a safety session was held with the gauge operator involved in the incident prior to the operator returning to field work using a nuclear density gauge. The session included collaborative thinking and planning in performing nuclear density testing safety on unique job sites, especially those with confined work environments.

"Additional topics discussed included utilizing verbal communication with equipment operators prior to accessing a work area, utilizing a 'spotter' while performing testing, and always maintaining possession and visual observation of a nuclear density gauge while the gauge is not inside the transport case in the vehicle.

"The Department considers this event to be closed."

Arkansas Event Number: AR-2022-008

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED TROXLER GAUGE

The following information was provided by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (The Department) via email:

"The Department was notified on 11/18/22 at 1243 EST via telephone that a Troxler 3400 series portable moisture density gauge, serial number 33556, had been hit by a piece of construction equipment.

"The Troxler 3400 series portable moisture density gauge contains a maximum activity of 9 millicuries of Cs-137 and 44 millicuries of Am-241:Be. The licensee reported the source rod had been dislodged but had been successfully inserted back into the shielded position. A Department inspector was dispatched to the location on 11/18/22 and assisted the licensee in packing the damaged Troxler 3400 series device into the transport container. Dose rate readings using a ND-2000A survey instrument, calibrated 09/16/22 indicated readings as high as 30 mR/hr on the surface of the transport container and less than 1 mR/hr at 1 meter.

"The Troxler 3400 series moisture density gauge was transported and secured at the licensee's storage location and is awaiting shipment back to the manufacturer. This event is still under investigation by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control."

South Carolina Event Number: To Be Announced