Accidential Exposure of Industrial Radiography Worker


Print View Posted on: 26 December 2024

Event Date: 20 April 2015 Event Type: Radiation Source
Event Location: Korea, Republic of, Busan INES Rating: 2 (Final)

On April 20, 2015, two workers were conducting a industrial radiography for Non-Destructive Test on the welds of a large steel product. During the process, the guide tube of the irradiator was not properly connected, causing the radiation source (Co-60, 1.85 TBq) to be withdrawn but not retrieved. One of the workers entered the radiographic testing room to retrieve the radiation source but accidentally stepped on the source without realizing its location, resulting in radiation exposure. On May 6, 2015, erythema was observed on the sole of his right foot, leading to the recognition of excessive radiation exposure. The doses were assessed as an effective dose of 0.9 mSv and a foot equivalent dose of 2.5 Sv.

INES Rating: 2 - Incident (Final) as per 29 November 2015
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 Yes

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

Changsu Park
Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS)

cspark@kins.re.kr
https://www.kins.re.kr
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