Worker Overexposure


Print View Posted on: 19 April 2018

Event Date: 06 April 2018 Event Type: Radiation Source
Event Location: United States of America, Rosharon, Texas / Techcorr USA Management LLC INES Rating: 2 (Provisional)

A radiographer received a whole body dose of 60 mSv (6.0 rem) on or about 4/6/2018. The radiographer was working at a fabrication shop with a radiography camera containing a 3.804 TBq (102.8 Ci) Ir-192 source. The radiographer finished performing radiography exposures in one location then carried the camera and attached the cables approximately 3-4 feet and set it down. He then walked out of the excessively noisy shooting bay. As he exited, he realized his alarming rate meter was sounding. He walked back to the camera, operated the cranks, and retracted the source into the fully locked position inside the camera. The licensee requested the expedited processing of the radiographer’s whole body dosimeter. The camera and cranks were tested and appeared to be working normally. The dose received by the radiographer exceeds the U.S. statutory limit for whole body dose of 50 mSv (5 rem). Texas plans to conduct an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the worker overexposure and perform dose calculations. NRC EN53332

INES Rating: 2 - Incident (Provisional) as per 19 April 2018
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

Patricia Milligan
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Patricia.Milligan@nrc.gov
http://www.nrc.gov
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