Event Notification Report for August 14, 2025
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
08/13/2025 - 08/14/2025
EVENT NUMBERS
57870
57870
Agreement State
Event Number: 57870
Rep Org: WA Office of Radiation Protection
Licensee: WA Department of Transportation
Region: 4
City: Gig Harbor State: WA
County:
License #: WN-L071-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Dane Blakinger
HQ OPS Officer: Adam Koziol
Licensee: WA Department of Transportation
Region: 4
City: Gig Harbor State: WA
County:
License #: WN-L071-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Dane Blakinger
HQ OPS Officer: Adam Koziol
Notification Date: 08/14/2025
Notification Time: 16:16 [ET]
Event Date: 08/14/2025
Event Time: 01:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 09/10/2025
Notification Time: 16:16 [ET]
Event Date: 08/14/2025
Event Time: 01:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 09/10/2025
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Agrawal, Ami (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Agrawal, Ami (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/11/2025
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was provided by the Washington State Department of Health, Office of Radiation Protection (WADOH) via email:
"At 0100 PDT [on 08/14/2025] an intoxicated driver collided with several pieces of equipment in a roadside construction zone, including a nuclear portable gauge. This event occurred on SR 16 eastbound directly before the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Gig Harbor, Washington. The nuclear gauge that was damaged was a licensed Troxler model 3450. The damage appeared to consist of the handle being separated from the body of the gauge. The gauge was not in use at the time.
"The radiation safety officer (RSO) cordoned off the area and prevented individuals from coming within 150 feet of the source. The timeline of this event is still being investigated. The RSO contacted WADOH at 0205 PDT. Emergency response, consisting of fire and hazmat personnel, arrived on site at approximately 0500 equipped with a Geiger Mueller radiation detection instrument. Two individuals donned Tyvek [suits] and proceeded towards the source, with WADOH directing their response via telephone communication. The highest radiation levels were 15 mR/hr, measured approximately one foot from the source, which indicated that the sources were likely still within the shielded position. The two emergency responders used a shovel to pick the source handle and gauge body up and place the pieces back into the Troxler type 'A' shipping container. This took approximately 8 minutes and the dose received is assumed to be less than 2 mrem each. The container was then closed, and additional radiation surveys were taken. The on contact dose on the exterior of the container was 2 mR/hr, which is below the expected dose rate while within the container. WADOH arrived on-site at approximately 0730 PDT and took contamination surveys on the source assembly, which was visibly intact. No contamination was detected.
"Under Troxler's guidance, the licensee transported the material within the type 'A' container back to their calibration facility to perform leak tests. Leak tests have been performed and are being sent out for counting prior to shipment back to Troxler. The gauge will remain in a secured position until it is shipped back to Troxler. The licensee will follow Troxler guidance and all applicable DOT regulations. A full report will be delivered to WADOH within 30 days. WADOH will continue conversations with the licensee to determine the full scope of the situation, and additional details will be provided as they are found."
Gauge sources: 9 mCi Cs-137, 44 mCi Am-241/Be, and 66 microcuries Cf-252
WA Incident Number: WA 25-009
* * * UPDATE ON 09/10/2025 AT 1759 EDT FROM DANE BLAKINGER TO JOSUE RAMIREZ * * *
The following information was provided by the Washington State Department of Health, Office of Radiation Protection (WADOH) via email:
"Dose assessment: Four responders were on-site. Two responders were in a radiation field of up to 15 mR/hr for 8 minutes. The conservative estimate is a 2 mrem total effective dose equivalent each. Dose to WADOH responder was less than 1 mrem.
"[As part of corrective actions,] WADOH has generated job aids for responding to portable gauge emergencies. Additional procedural changes are being developed. Focused training on similar emergencies is being developed to ensure office-wide readiness.
"The licensee will internally audit all emergency procedures for portable gauge license, including updating the gauge transportation forms with radiation safety officer personal phone number. All required traffic control was in place.
"No further actions required. Corrective actions will be verified during a routine inspection."
Notified R4DO (Deese) and NMSS Event Notification (email)
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was provided by the Washington State Department of Health, Office of Radiation Protection (WADOH) via email:
"At 0100 PDT [on 08/14/2025] an intoxicated driver collided with several pieces of equipment in a roadside construction zone, including a nuclear portable gauge. This event occurred on SR 16 eastbound directly before the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Gig Harbor, Washington. The nuclear gauge that was damaged was a licensed Troxler model 3450. The damage appeared to consist of the handle being separated from the body of the gauge. The gauge was not in use at the time.
"The radiation safety officer (RSO) cordoned off the area and prevented individuals from coming within 150 feet of the source. The timeline of this event is still being investigated. The RSO contacted WADOH at 0205 PDT. Emergency response, consisting of fire and hazmat personnel, arrived on site at approximately 0500 equipped with a Geiger Mueller radiation detection instrument. Two individuals donned Tyvek [suits] and proceeded towards the source, with WADOH directing their response via telephone communication. The highest radiation levels were 15 mR/hr, measured approximately one foot from the source, which indicated that the sources were likely still within the shielded position. The two emergency responders used a shovel to pick the source handle and gauge body up and place the pieces back into the Troxler type 'A' shipping container. This took approximately 8 minutes and the dose received is assumed to be less than 2 mrem each. The container was then closed, and additional radiation surveys were taken. The on contact dose on the exterior of the container was 2 mR/hr, which is below the expected dose rate while within the container. WADOH arrived on-site at approximately 0730 PDT and took contamination surveys on the source assembly, which was visibly intact. No contamination was detected.
"Under Troxler's guidance, the licensee transported the material within the type 'A' container back to their calibration facility to perform leak tests. Leak tests have been performed and are being sent out for counting prior to shipment back to Troxler. The gauge will remain in a secured position until it is shipped back to Troxler. The licensee will follow Troxler guidance and all applicable DOT regulations. A full report will be delivered to WADOH within 30 days. WADOH will continue conversations with the licensee to determine the full scope of the situation, and additional details will be provided as they are found."
Gauge sources: 9 mCi Cs-137, 44 mCi Am-241/Be, and 66 microcuries Cf-252
WA Incident Number: WA 25-009
* * * UPDATE ON 09/10/2025 AT 1759 EDT FROM DANE BLAKINGER TO JOSUE RAMIREZ * * *
The following information was provided by the Washington State Department of Health, Office of Radiation Protection (WADOH) via email:
"Dose assessment: Four responders were on-site. Two responders were in a radiation field of up to 15 mR/hr for 8 minutes. The conservative estimate is a 2 mrem total effective dose equivalent each. Dose to WADOH responder was less than 1 mrem.
"[As part of corrective actions,] WADOH has generated job aids for responding to portable gauge emergencies. Additional procedural changes are being developed. Focused training on similar emergencies is being developed to ensure office-wide readiness.
"The licensee will internally audit all emergency procedures for portable gauge license, including updating the gauge transportation forms with radiation safety officer personal phone number. All required traffic control was in place.
"No further actions required. Corrective actions will be verified during a routine inspection."
Notified R4DO (Deese) and NMSS Event Notification (email)