Re: Contamination Incident (anecdotes)

[a.zapantis@qut.edu.au (Alex Zapantis)]

About 10 years ago, long before I came on the scene (so it wasn't my
fault!!) a researcher  from our School of Life Sciences dropped some vials
containing P-32 in a lift. As dictated by Murphys' law, the vials managed to
release their contents (hundreds of uCi) all over the floor of the lift. The
Uni RSO of the time was informed immediately and had the carpet from the
lift removed. The lift was then successfully decontaminated. 

Everything would have been fine except that the mantenance staff who removed
the carpet didn't follow the instructions of the RSO and left the hot carpet
on the loading dock. Someone else, having spied the large square of pristine
carpet, took it. It was never found and the person who took it never identified.

This comedy of errors is good for training. Ask your trainees to identify
the breaches in standard radiation safety practice.

Regards


                I know that you believe you understand what you think I said 
                but I am not sure that what you heard is actually what I meant.

                        Alex Zapantis
                        Radiation Safety Officer                               
                        Queensland University of Technology          
                        Health & Safety Section                             
                        Locked Bag No.2
                        Red Hill Qld 4059
                        AUSTRALIA

                        Ph     : 61 7 864 3566
                        fax     : 61 7 864 3993
                        email  : a.zapantis@qut.edu.au