Overexposure to Radiographer


Print View Posted on: 22 February 2012

Event Date: 17 February 2012 Event Type: Radiation Source
Event Location: United States of America, Houston, Texas INES Rating: 2 (Provisional)

A licensee radiographer was performing radiography using a QSA D880 radiography camera containing a 1.37 TBq (37 curie) Ir-192 source. The radiographer approached the guide tube without verifying that the survey meter was functioning. When the radiographer attempted to crank the source out through the guide tube, the radiographer discovered that the source was already fully cranked out. The radiographer then cranked the source back into the body of the radiography camera and notified the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). It was determined that the radiographer had spent approximately 3 minutes within 254 cm (10 inches) of the source, and about 3 minutes at 91 cm (3 feet) from the source. The licensee determined there was no extremity dose, but initial calculations of the whole body dose are estimated to be as much as 200 mSv (20 rem). The licensee is in the process of determining the final dose. The licensee also determined that the electrical breaker that supplied power to the work area had been opened and therefore the area monitor did not sound an alarm. The radiographer’s personal monitoring device will be sent to the dosimetry processor. The State of Texas regulatory agency provided contact information for the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site to the RSO. The State of Texas is investigating this event.

INES Rating: 2 - Incident (Provisional) as per 21 February 2012
Release beyond authorized limits? No
Overexposure of a member of the public? No
Overexposure of a worker? Yes

Contamination spread within the facility? No
Damage to radiological barriers (incl. fuel damage) within the facility? No

Degradation of Defence In-Depth No

Person injured physically or casualty? No
Is there a continuing problem? No

Dr. Cynthia Jones
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

Cynthia.Jones@nrc.gov
http://www.nrc.gov
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