Mine event in India on Wed 24th July 2002

On 24th July 2002, a worker received radiation exposure of 151 mSv while performing radiography works in the turbine auxiliary systems, outside the reactor building of Madras Atomic Power Station. The worker is a certified radiographer and also a qualified radiation worker. He got exposure when he was removing the exposed film and installing the new film. The exposure took place because he did not retract the source into the shielded remote operable camera, prior to this job. The camera used in the incident contained Ir-192 source, of estimated strength of 5 Curies. It is estimated that the worker may have got exposure for 10 to 15 minutes, at a distance of 20 cms or less. He carried a digital survey meter but failed to switch it on during work. His exposure was known only after processing of his TLD. Further investigations are in progress. The event has been rated at level 2 on INES.