Regulatory Disclosures: 2010

 An ANSTO staff member experienced nausea, headache and confusion after working on an instrument in a cave entrance at a remote monitoring site.  Work was immediately stopped and symptoms disappeared by the following day. Symptoms most likely to have resulted from factors apart from air quality.  Procedures for environmental field work have been reviewed and updated. 

A coupling between a pump motor and flywheel failed and debris penetrated the equipment guard during testing of the pump.  Work immediately stopped and pump electrically isolated.  No injuries were sustained.

Ion exchange column and water seal removed from storage block for maintenance and dose optimisation in the de-fuelled HIFAR facility.  The removal of these minor componets technically required approval from ARPANSA. There were no safety consequences as correct radiation protection measures were used.

Two low activity sources identified as missing from Activity Standards Laboratory as part of internally-initiated management review.  Reported to ARPANSA immediately and comprehensive remediation plan initiated.  No radiological consequences identified from loss of sources.

Batch of imported bulk I-131 received at ANSTO Health with radioactivity in excess of ordered amount, as well as licence condition. Stored for safety until decayed to permissible level on 11 June, 2010. Supplier notified to ensure event not repeated. 

Small, non-exempt batch of technetium-99m incorrectly identified as being below exemption levels leading to some documentation not being fully completed. Material was handled in accordance with standard radiation protection techniques and there were no radiological consequences.

An electrical contractor received an electric shock from the neutral cable when a distribution board was being replaced. No medical assistance was required. Power to the board had been isolated, checked and verified by ANSTO and Contractor.

A precautionary notification of staff removing asbestos-containing material. Staff were not exposed to asbestos as appropriate controls were in place. During refurbishment operation in a tented enclosure with staff wearing Personal Protective Equipment, friable asbestos was dislodged. Staff collected and bagged the material, however, they did not have appropriate qualifications to remove it.

Contractors entered a work area with potential low-level beryllium contamination without appropriate assessment and approval. Follow-up tests showed that there was no beryllium in the area.

As part of an internal audit, it was found that levels of Fluorine-18 ordered by ANSTO Life Sciences (formerly RRI) between September 2007 and February 2010 were in excess of that permitted by the licence conditions. The sources were handled in accordance with standard radioactive handling procedures and there were no safety implications of the breach.

Radioactive medical isotope (Yttrium 90) droplet dripped on floor and on bench under fume-hood during quality control testing. Minor localised contamination to employee's lab coat and forearm which were decontaminated promptly.

An induction heater was disposed of without prior approval from ARPANSA.  As the heater was inoperable and did not contain any radioactive material, there were no safety implications.

As part of an internal audit, it was found that a batch of Germanium-68 was ordered by ANSTO Life Sciences (formerly RRI) in January 2008 in excess of that permitted by the licence conditions. The source was handled in accordance with standard radioactive handling procedures and there were no safety implications of the breach.

Spill of less than 1 millilitre radioactive medical isotope (Technetium-99m) in laboratory during tests. Contamination was spread to adjacent areas of the laboratory resulting in contamination of overshoes and localised personal contamination to three employees, all of whom were decontaminated promptly. Laboratory was decontaminated and returned to service.

Empty depleted uranium container dislodged from contractors transport vehicle when strapping broke during return to package owner. No safety consequence to public. Transport arrangements and securing mechanisms reviewed and improved. Notified to NSW EPA by external agency.