INES-event
INES 2

Overexposure to Radiographer

Two radiography trainees were performing industrial radiography inside a tank. The first trainee handled the guide tube of a radiography camera while the Ir-192 source was in the guide tube. The Ir-192 source contained 2553 GBq (69 curies).The first trainee was not wearing his personnel monitoring devices because he had left them in the truck. He also was not using a survey meter. Based on reenactment of the event in which it was determined that the trainee’s hand was 0.5 centimeters from the source for 10 seconds, the licensee calculated a dose of 36.8 Sv (3680 rem) to the hand of the first trainee. However, the trainee presently is not experiencing any pain and no deterministic effects have been observed. The whole body dose to the first trainee is estimated to be 60 mSv (6 rem). The licensee and consultants are continuing to evaluate the exposures. The second trainee did not handle the guide tube, but received a whole body dose of 33 mSv (3.3 rem). Blood samples have been taken and sent to the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS). The licensee, Acuren Inspection, will continue to monitor the hand of the first trainee and communicate with REAC/TS.

Update 04/24/2014: Texas has completed its investigation, and has calculated a dose of 120 mSv (12 rem) to the hand and 40 mSv (4 rem) to the whole body. These figures render this event a statutory whole body overexposure only, and The calculated hand dose of 12 rem is based on exposure to the source from a distance of approximately 61 cm (24 inches) for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. The calculated whole body dose of 4 rem is based on exposure to the source from a distance of approximately15 cm (6 inches) for 10 seconds.

Location: LaPorte, Texas/Acuren Inspection
Event date: Thu, 13-03-2014
Nuclear event report
Legenda & explanation