INES-event
INES 2

Potential Radiographer Extremity Overexposure

On January 20, 2007, Conam Inspection notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of a potential occupational extremity overexposure. According to the licensee, a radiographer was conducting radiographic operations using an AEA 660 device containing a 2.85 TBq (77 curies) sealed iridium-192 source. The radiographer approached the device believing the source was in its shielded position and manipulated the source guide tube for the next exposure. Upon returning to crank assembly in an attempt to expose the source, the radiographer realized the source was not in the shielded position.

In its dose assessment, the licensee used a 55-second stay time and has preliminarily determined that the individual received an extremity dose to the right hand and finger of approximately 440-550 millisievert (mSv) [44-55 rem], an exposure in excess of NRC’s shallow dose equivalent limit to the extremities of 500 mSv (50 rem).

The radiographer was not wearing the required alarming ratemeter and the survey instrument appears to have malfunctioned when he approached the device prior to positioning the source guide tube. The licensee has relieved the radiographer of his duties and all work involving radiography has been stopped at the facility where the event took place. Personal dosimetry results indicate a whole body dose to the radiographer of approximately 6 mSv (600 millirem).

NRC is conducting an onsite inspection to review the cause(s) and circumstances surrounding this event.

Location: Conam Inspection / Philadelphia
Event date: Sat, 20-01-2007
Nuclear event report
Legenda & explanation