Overexposure of two industrial radiographers


Print View Posted on: 18 November 2015

Event Date: 23 September 2015 Event Type: Radiation Source
Event Location: Iran, Islamic Republic of, Oil refinery Company INES Rating: 3 (Provisional)

Two industrial radiographers who were involved in an oil refinery projects, overexposed by Gamma radiation of Ir-92, 35 Ci. On 23/09/2015, one of the radiographers dismantled the guide tube without noticing that the source/holder was detached and stocked in the guide tube due to not having survey meter with him. He put the guide tube in the car between the right front chair and back chair. During the night, one of the radiographers slept in the left front chair for about 6 hours while the other slept in the right front chair for about 4 hours in different times. When some mild symptoms of nausea and vomiting appeared in the first radiographer, he suspected of presence of source near him. So, he turned on the survey meter and found out that the source was inside the guide tube placed in the car. Then, the second radiographer returned the source to the projector.

The accident was reported to the regulatory body accordingly and investigation started immediately. Based on the initial study the first radiographer may have received a whole body dose of 1.6 Gy and the second received about 3.4 Gy. Due to the high amount of the dose, both of the radiographers were admitted to the hospital for further medical surveillance and possible treatments.

INES Rating: 3 - Serious incident (Provisional) as per 11 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 No

Person injured physically or casualty? Yes
Is there a continuing problem? Yes

Naser Rastkhah - Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority (INRA)
Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority (INRA)

nrastkhah@aeoi.org.ir
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