DAMAGED TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
10/16/07 at 1100 EDT a Troxler 3401; 8 millicuries Cs-137 and 40 millicuries Am-241/Be, was run over by a bulldozer while the gauge operator was driving the drive rod into the ground (was going to test the compaction of the soil). The gauge operator was about 15 to 20 feet away from the gauge when it was run over. The top handle and the top of the source rod were sheared off. The Radiation Safety Officer came to the site and took surveys. Surveys found no contamination and the gauge is presently in its locked position on the tail of a truck. The survey readings of the gauge from 2 feet away ranged from 0.06 to 0.1 millirems per hour (survey readings were taken using a TroxAlert meter). The RSO will have the gauge leaked tested and then he plans to ship the gauge back to Troxler for repairs/disposal. Serial number of the gauge is 5323.
This incident occurred at 6825 West Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI at a basement excavation site.
NRC Region 3, Darrel Wiedeman, was notified of this incident by Jim Meehle. |