Alabama company fined for mishandling nuclear device

    The Alabama Department of Public Health
wants a Birmingham company to pay a $3,125 civil penalty for
failing to secure a portable nuclear gauge.

    The box-like device, used to measure soil for construction
projects, fell off the back of a pickup truck on Aug. 28.

    A citizen found the gauge and returned it.

    Kirksey Whatley, director of the Office of Radiation Control,
said in a statement Tuesday Birmingham Engineering & Construction
Consultants violated rules established by the state Board of
Health.

    The company has until Dec. 14 to pay or contest the proposed
penalty.