M8.1

TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

(Target audience: Consignors of Radioisotopes of Large Activity - Mode: Air)

Scope of this module

This module relates to the regulatory requirements for the safe transport of radioactive material by air to –

a) hospitals for treatment of cancer (telegamma therapy and brachytherapy)

b) radiation sterilization facilities for sterilizing single use medical supplies, such as syringes, gloves, cotton and bandages

c) food irradiation facilities for prevention of infestation and preservation of food

d) blood irradiation facilities used in life-saving blood transfusion as it reduces the risk of immunological reaction in the recipient

e) facilities handling self-shielded irradiators

f) radiation detector calibration facilities

g) industrial radiography institutions and

h) oil well logging facilities.

This module also includes transport of fresh cobalt-60 rods from nuclear reactors to hotcells preparing the sources for various applications.

This module describes how the transport of these materials can be carried out in conformity with the applicable regulatory requirements.

Introduction

Transport radioactive material is governed by national and international regulations. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has published the Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material [1]. All references to “Regulations” in this module pertain to the IAEA Regulations. The objective of the Regulations is to establish requirements that must be satisfied to ensure safety and to protect persons, property and the environment from the effects of radiation in the transport of radioactive material. This protection is achieved by requiring, among others:

a) containment of the radioactive contents;

b) control of external radiation levels; and

c) prevention of damage caused by heat.

These requirements are satisfied first by specifying -

a) performance standards for package design based on the radioactive contents and

b) administrative controls and

c) approval by competent authorities.

Confidence in this regard is achieved through quality assurance and compliance assurance programmes.

Tasks before the consignor

The consignor should –

a) Know the regulations

b) Ensure that a radiation protection programme and a quality assurance programme are in place and implemented

c) Select and procure an appropriate package in which the radioactive material has to be transported

d) Obtain the necessary approvals from the concerned competent authority/authorities

e) Fulfil the requirements, in particular, instructions for use, as stated in the package design approval certificate

f) Prepare the package for transport (e.g. load the radioactive material in the package, seal the package, check the radiation and contamination levels)

g) Mark and label the package

h) Undertake the appropriate measures and tests before each shipment as outlined in the package design approval certificate and the requirements of the regulations (TS-R-1)

i) Complete the transport documents

j) Forward the package

Regulatory requirements

IAEA Regulations

The IAEA Regulations [1] form the basis of many national and international regulations for transport of radioactive material. The assignment of responsibilities to consignor, carrier and the consignee would be determined by the laws and customs of different countries and the international conventions into which the countries have entered.

The Agency has published a Safety Guide advising the user about how the regulatory requirements can be satisfied [2]. In order to guide the consignor through the regulatory requirements, IAEA has published the Schedules for the Regulations as a Safety Guide [3]. The schedules provide specific guidance on the regulatory requirements for each type of consignment.

National Regulations

Transport of radioactive material is governed by national regulations of each State. Member States of IAEA adopt the IAEA Regulations within the frame work of the local laws. Consignors, carriers and the concerned public authorities ensure that the shipments are made in compliance with the applicable national regulations. There could be some differences between national and international regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material because of the difference in the legal system among the states.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is also a United Nations agency. ICAO develops standards and recommends practices covering all areas of civil aviation. A set of Technical Instructions published by ICAO set out in detail the requirements for carrying radioactive material by air. These Technical Instructions are based on the IAEA Regulations with regard to the carriage by air of radioactive material.

IATA is an association representing airlines throughout the world. Its objectives are the promotion of safe, regular and economical air transport. IATA has developed their transport regulations, which are consistent with the ICAO’s Technical Instructions.

Other dangerous properties of contents

If the radioactive material contained in the package has any other dangerous properties, such as explosiveness, flammability, pyrophoricity, chemical toxicity and corrosiveness, the package should be transported in compliance with the relevant transport regulations for dangerous goods of each of the countries through or into which the materials will be transported. In addition, the regulations of the concerned transport organizations should also be complied with.

Radiation protection requirements and quality assurance

Establishment of a Radiation Protection Programme

A Radiation Protection Programme (RPP) should be established for the transport of radioactive material. The nature and extent of the measures to be employed in the programme should be related to the magnitude and likelihood of radiation exposures. The RPP documents should be made available, on request, for inspection by the relevant competent authority. A sample RPP is given in appendix 1.

For occupational exposures arising from transport activities, where it is assessed that the effective dose may exceed:

(a) 1 mSv but not exceed 6 mSv in a year, workplace monitoring or individual monitoring should be conducted to assess the dose;

(b) 6 mSv in a year, individual monitoring should be conducted.

When individual monitoring or workplace monitoring is conducted, appropriate records should be kept. The Agency has published a Safety Guide on Radiation Protection Programmes for Transport of Radioactive Material[4].

Emergency provisions

In the event of accidents or incidents during the transport of radioactive material, emergency provisions, as established by relevant national and/or international organizations, should be observed to protect persons, property and the environment. The Agency has published a Safety Guide emergency preparedness for transport accidents [5].

Training of personnel

Workers directly engaged in any activity involving packages containing radioactive material should receive appropriate training concerning radiation.

Persons engaged in the transport of radioactive material should receive training in the contents of the Regulations commensurate with their responsibilities.

Individuals such as those who classify radioactive material; pack radioactive material; mark and label radioactive material; prepare transport documents for radioactive material; offer or accept radioactive material for transport; carry or handle radioactive material in transport; mark or placard or load or unload packages of radioactive material into or from transport vehicles, bulk packagings; or are otherwise directly involved in the transport of radioactive material as determined by the competent authority; should receive the following training:

(a) General awareness/familiarization training:

(i) The general provisions of the Regulations;

(ii) Description of the categories of radioactive material; labelling, marking, placarding and packaging and segregation requirements; a description of the purpose and content of the radioactive material transport document; and a description of available emergency response documents;

(b) Requirements which are specific to the function that person performs;

(c) (i) Methods and procedures for accident avoidance;

(ii) Emergency response information and how to use it; and

(iii) Risk posed by the various categories of radioactive material and measures to prevent exposure.

Records of all safety training undertaken should be kept by the employer and made available to the employee if requested.

The training required above should be provided upon employment and should be periodically supplemented with retraining as deemed appropriate by the competent authority.

Quality Assurance

Quality assurance programmes should be established and implemented as required in the applicable regulations. Certification that the design specification has been fully implemented should be available to the competent authority. The consignor should be prepared to demonstrate to the competent authority that all packagings are periodically inspected and, as necessary, repaired and maintained in good condition so that they continue to comply with all requirements even after repeated use.

Definitions of terms

Certain terms are assigned specific meanings in the Regulations. For example the terms contamination means the presence of a radioactive substance in excess of 0.4 Bq/cm2 for beta, gamma and low toxicity alpha emitters or 0.04 Bq/cm2 for other alpha emitters. The term conveyance includes road vehicles, rail cars, vessels or aircraft. A packaging together with the radioactive content is defined as package. Many definitions are provided in the Regulations. It is necessary to understand the meanings assigned to various terms in the Regulations.

Selection of Package

The type of package for the transport of radioactive material is determined by the radionuclide and its activity to be transported. Let us consider the following typical examples of radioactive materials considered in this module.

Table: Examples of large radioactive sources transported

Radionuclide Use of the radioactive material Typical activity

(TBq)

A1

(TBq)

A2

(TBq)

Cobalt-60 Telegamma therapy 400 0.4 0.4

Cobalt-60 Brachythrapy / Industrial radiography

0.4 – 0.8 0.4 0.4

Cobalt-60 Sterilization / food irradiation 20000 0.4 0.4

Iridium-192 Industrial radiography 4 1 0.6241 Am-Be Oil well logging 0.8 10

(for 241Am)

0.001

(for 241Am)

The radioactive materials considered in this module need to be transported in activities greater than A1 and A2 values. So they have to be transported either in a Type B(U) / (M) packaging, which are designed to withstand accident conditions of transport or in a Type C packaging which is designed to withstand severe air accident conditions. A Type C packaging is required if the activity exceeds

a) 3000 A1 or 100 000 A2 for special form radioactive material and

b) 3000 A2 for other form radioactive material.

Type B(U) and Type C packages are subject to unilateral approval and Type B(M) packages require multilateral approval.Unilateral approval is issued only by the competent authority of the country of origin of the design of the package. Multilateral approval needs to be issued not only by the competent authority of the country of origin of the package but also by those of the countries through or into which the package is to be transported. If a consignment is carried by air over a country multilateral approval is not required from that country in respect of that consignment , provided that there is no scheduled stop in that country. The ICAO TI may include additional restrictions.

.

The consignor should procure an appropriate package which has a valid competent authority package design approval certificate. This certificate should be valid until the completion of the shipment.

Special arrangement

If conformance with all applicable provisions of the Regulations is not practicable, the consignment can be transported but only under special arrangement. Approval for transport under special arrangement must be obtained from the concerned competent authority(ies).

Obtaining necessary approvals from the competent authority

The approval requirements for the sources discussed in this module are two-fold: Design approval and shipment approval. Design approval applies to sources (special form radioactive material and low dispersible radioactive material) and packages. Shipment approval applies to the carriage of certain packages.

The consignor should ensure the following:–

a) The package is of approved design

b) Where multilateral approval is required, it is obtained from the concerned competent authorities.

c) The package design approval certificate would remain valid until the completion of the shipment

d) If the radioactive material is declared as a special form radioactive material or a low dispersible radioactive material the design approval certificate of the radioactive material would be valid until completion of the shipment.

Approval of Special Form Radioactive Material and Low Dispersible Radioactive Material

The design for special form radioactive material requires unilateral approval.

The design for low dispersible radioactive material requires multilateral approval.

Approval of package design

Each Type B(U) package design and each Type C package design requires unilateral approval..

Each Type B(U) package that is designed for the transport of low dispersible radioactive material requires multilateral approval.

Each Type B(M) package design requires multilateral approval.

Approval of Shipments

Multilateral approval is required for the shipment of a Type B(M) package if :

a) its design does not take into account temperatures ranging from – 40 °C to + 70 °C for the components of the packaging

b) it is designed to allow controlled intermittent venting or

c) the activity of the radioactive material exceeds 3000A1 or 3000A2, as appropriate, or 1000 TBq, whichever is the lower.

An application for shipment approval should include:

a) the period of time, related to the shipment, for which the approval is sought;

b) the actual radioactive contents, the expected modes of transport, the type of conveyance and the probable or proposed route; and

c) the details of how the precautions and administrative or operational controls, referred to in the package design approval certificates are to be put into effect.

Approval of package design and shipment approval may be combined into a single certificate.

Approval of Shipments under Special Arrangement

If a consignment is transported under special arrangement multilateral approval is required. The competent authority needs to be satisfied that the overall level of safety in transport is at least equivalent to that which would be provided if all the applicable requirements of these Regulations had been met.

An application for approval of shipments under special arrangement should include:

a) A statement of the respects in which the shipment cannot be made in full accordance with the applicable requirements and the reasons; and

b) A statement of any special measures which are to be implemented to compensate for the failure to meet the applicable requirements.

Preparation of the package for transport

Limits on package content

Type B(U) and Type B(M) packages should not contain activities in excess of the limits given below:

a) For special form radioactive material: 3000A1 or 100 000A2 ,

b) For low dispersible radioactive material: as authorized for the package design as specified in the certificate of approval, and

c) For all other radioactive material: 3000A2 .

A Type B(U)/B(M)/C package should not contain

a) activities greater than the limit specified in the package approval certificate issued by the competent authority.

b) radionuclides different from those authorized for the package design

contents in a form, or a physical or chemical state different from those authorized for the package design.

Control of radiation level

External exposure that may result from the transport of these sources is controlled. The Regulations impose two limits on the radiation level outside the package. One limit restricts the radiation level at the external surface of the package. The other limit restricts the radiation level at one metre from the external surface of the package. The latter number is referred to as the transport index of the package.

Transport Index (TI)

The TI is an indicator of the radiation level in the vicinity of a package or freight container . It is useful in determining the segregation distances from packages, overpacks and freight containers. The segregation distance is calculated using the inverse square law of reduction of radiation level from package. In the case of large packages radiation levels external to the loads do not decrease as per the inverse square law. Therefore a multiplication factor is introduced for large dimension loads. Segregation distances should be calculated on the basis of the TI indicated on these loads .

Here is the procedure for determining the TI of a package or overpack or freight container:

Determine the TI of a package on the basis of measured radiation levels, considering the package in isolation. Scan the package, including the top and bottom, at a distance of 1 m from the external surface. Ignore protrusions on the exterior of the package in determining the 1 m distance. However, in the case of a finned package, the measurement may be made at 1 m distance from the external envelope of the package.

Determine the maximum radiation level in units of millisieverts per hour (mSv/h) at a distance of 1 m from the external surfaces of the package, overpack, freight container. Multiply it by 100. The resulting number is the transport index of the package / overpack. In the case of freight containers this value should be multiplied by the factor given in the table below appropriate to the size of the freight container.

TABLE: MULTIPLICATION FACTORS FOR FREIGHT CONTAINERS

Size of loada Multiplication factor

size of load < 1 m2 1

1 m2< size of load < 5 m2 2

5 m2< size of load < 20 m2 3

20 m2<size of load 10aLargest cross-sectional area of the load being measured.

The value obtained above should be rounded up to the first decimal place (e.g. 1.13 becomes 1.2), except that a value of 0.05 or less may be considered as zero.

Alternatively, the TI for a freight container may be established as the sum of the TIs of all the packages in the freight container.

Many packages may be transported in a rigid overpack or a freight container or an aircraft. The TI, in this case, may be taken as either the sum of the TIs of all the packages contained, or by direct measurement of radiation level. Adding the TIs reflects a conservative approach as the sum of the TIs of the packages contained may be higher than the maximum radiation level at 1 m from the external surface of the overpack or the freight container due to shielding effects and the additional distance from the packages in the core of the consignment.

Limits on T I and Radiation Levels

The transport index of any package or overpack or freight container should not exceed 10. If this limit is exceeded, the consignment could be permitted only under exclusive use.

Exclusive use means that

a) a single consignor will have the sole use of an aircraft or of a large freight container;

b) all initial, intermediate and final loading and unloading will be carried out in accordance with the directions of the consignor or consignee; and

c) the consignor has primary responsibility for ensuring compliance.

While under exclusive use the radiation level on the external surface of the package or overpack or freight container should not exceed 10 mSv/h.

The radiation level at any point on the external surface of a package or overpack or freight container should not exceed 2 mSv/h. If this limit is exceeded, the consignment could be permitted only by special arrangement. For transport by special arrangement, prior approval from the competent authority is required. Transport by special arrangement also requires multilateral approval.

Controls for Contamination

The radioactive materials which are specifically addressed in this module are sealed sources. In many countries such sealed sources are required to satisfy the requirements for sealed sources specified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) [4]. Hence these radioactive materials are unlikely to cause the spread of contamination on the package or aircrafts or storage areas. However, it is good practice to check and confirm that the limits on contamination are not exceeded.

The non-fixed contamination on the external surface of any package should be kept as low as practicable. The most effective way to ensure this is to prevent the surfaces from becoming contaminated. It is advisable to check gloves or other items of clothing of personnel routinely handling packages. Under routine conditions of transport non-fixed contamination on the external surface of any package should not exceed the following limits:

a) 4 Bq / cm2 for β and γ emitters and low toxicity α emitters and

b) 0.4 Bq/cm2 for all other α emitters.

Low toxicity alpha emitters are: natural uranium; depleted uranium; natural thorium; uranium-235 or uranium-238; thorium-232; thorium-228 and thorium-230 when contained in ores or physical and chemical concentrates; or alpha emitters with a half-life of less than 10 days. These limits are applicable when averaged over any area of 300 cm2 of any part of the surface.

These limits apply also to the external and internal surfaces of overpacks, freight containers and aircrafts.

Transport of other goods with radioactive shipment

Only items that are necessary for the use of the radioactive material should be contained in the package. There should be no interaction between these items and the package which could reduce the safety of the package.

If packagings are to be used for the storage or transport of other goods, then the package should first be decontaminated. That is, the level of contamination should be within these limits:

(a) 0.4 Bq/cm2 for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters and

(b) 0.04 Bq/cm2 for all other alpha emitters.

Categorisation of packages, freight containers and overpacks

Packages, freight containers and overpacks should be assigned to either category I-WHITE, II-YELLOW or III-YELLOW. The table given below provides the criteria for such categorisation. This is a necessary prerequisite to labelling and placarding.

TABLE: CATEGORIES OF PACKAGES, FREIGHT CONTAINERS AND OVERPACKS

Transport index Maximum radiation level at Category

any point on external surface

0a Not more than 0.005 mSv/h I-WHITE

not more than 0.5 mSv/h II-YELLOW

not more than 2 mSv/h III-YELLOW

not more than 10 mSv/h III-YELLOW b

a If the measured TI is not greater than 0.05, the value quoted may be zero.b Should also be transported under exclusive use.

Where the transport index of a package or overpack satisfies the condition for one category but the surface radiation level satisfies the condition for a different category, the package or overpack should be assigned to the higher category. Category III-YELLOW is higher than Category II-YELLOW which is higher than Category I-WHITE. The category of a package should be determined on the basis of measured radiation levels, considering the package in isolation.

A package or an overpack transported under special arrangement should be assigned to category III-YELLOW . For international shipments requiring competent authority design or shipment approval, for which different approval types apply in different countries concerned by the shipment, the categorization should be made in accordance with the certificate of the country of origin of design.

The criteria for categorisation have been derived assuming package/cargo handling procedures, exposure times for transport workers and exposure times for photographic film.

Marking, Labelling and Placarding

For each package or overpack the UN number and proper shipping name should be determined. In the case of international transport of packages requiring competent authority design or shipment approval for which different approval types apply in the different countries concerned by the shipment, the UN number, proper shipping name, categorization, labelling and marking should be in accordance with the certificate of the country of origin of design.

Marking

The following markings should be durably and legibly inscribed on each package/overpack:

a) An identification of either the consignor or consignee, or both. This marking may consist of the name or address of either the consignor or consignee, or may be a number identifying a way-bill or transport document which contains this information. If a package is lost in transit or misplaced, it would help in identifying the consignor or the consignee.

b) The UN marking as specified below. Additionally, the word “OVERPACK” should be legibly and durably marked on each overpack.

TABLE: UN MARKING FOR PACKAGES AND OVERPACKS

Item UN marking

Package United Nations number, preceded by the letters “UN”, and the proper shipping name.

Overpack United Nations number, preceded by the letters “UN” for each applicable United Nations number in the overpack, followed by the proper shipping name in the case of a non-excepted package

More than 0 but not more than 1a More than 0.005 mSv/h but

More than 1 but not more than 10 More than 0.5 mSv/h but

More than 10 More than 2 mSv/h but

c) The UN numbers and proper shipping names of the materials. The UN numbers applicable to this module are given below:

Type of shipment

UN number

Proper shipping name

Type B(U) UN 2916 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE B(U) PACKAGE

Type B(M) UN 2917 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE B(M) PACKAGE

TYPE C UN 3323 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE C PACKAGE

Special arrangement

UN 2919 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TRANSPORTED UNDER SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Each of the UN numbers is associated with a unique proper shipping name. They have the function of identifying dangerous goods. The system of identification by means of numbers is simple in terms of international recognition. Each UN number can be associated with a unique emergency response advice table which enables the first responders to refer to general advice in the absence of a specialist. During the first stages of an emergency, this information is accessible to a wide group of non-specialist emergency responders. UN numbers for radioactive material are also used to identify the applicable regulatory requirements to specific package or material types.

d) The gross mass of a package, if it exceeds 50 kg. Some Type B(U) / (M) packages containing industrial radiography sources may have a gross mass less than 50 kg. Packages exceeding 50 kg gross mass are likely to be handled by mechanical means and require marking of the gross mass to indicate the need for mechanical handling and observance of floor loading and vehicle loading limits.

e) The identification mark allocated to that design by the competent authority.

f) A serial number to uniquely identify each packaging which conforms to that design.

g) The inscription, “TYPE B(U)”, “TYPE B(M)” or “TYPE C”, as appropriate. Markings on such packages aim at providing a link between the individual package and the corresponding national competent authority design approval and provide valuable information in the event of an accident.

h) The trefoil symbol shown in Fig. 1 below should be stamped outside of the outermost receptacle of each package which is resistant to the effects of fire and water plainly marked by embossing, stamping or other means resistant to the effects of fire and water.

Fig. 1. Basic trefoil symbol with proportions based on a central circle of radius X. The minimum allowable size of X is 4 mm.

Labelling

The labelling of packages is an important method for communicating the presence of radioactive materials. These labels have been established with the aim of making radioactive material easily recognizable from a distance by means of symbols. The specific symbol chosen to identify cargo carrying radioactive material is the trefoil (Fig. 1).

Each package, overpack and freight container should bear the labels which conform to the models in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 or Fig. 4. These labels should be affixed on two opposite sides of the outside of a package or overpack or on the outside of all four sides of a freight container. Because of the chance that the container could be obscured by other freight containers and tanks, the labels need to be displayed on all four sides of freight containers. This will ensure that a label is visible without having to be searched for. The labels should not cover the markings specified above. Any labels which do not relate to the contents should be removed or covered.

FIG. 2.Category I-WHITE label.

The background colour of the label should be white, the colour of the trefoil and the printing should be black, and the category bar red.

FIG. 3.Category II-YELLOW label.

The background colour of the upper half of the label should be yellow and the lower half white, the colour of the trefoil and the printing should be black, and the category bars red.

FIG. 4. Category III-YELLOW label.

The background colour of the upper half of the label should be yellow and the lower half white, the colour of the trefoil and the printing should be black, and the category bars red.

Labelling for radioactive contents

Each label conforming to the models in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 should be completed with the following information:

a) Contents: The name of the radionuclide and the symbol (e.g. 60 Co, 192 Ir, 241 Am-Be).

b) Activity: The maximum activity of the radioactive contents during transport expressed in units of becquerels (Bq) with the appropriate SI prefix symbol (e.g., 400 TBq)

c) For overpacks and freight containers the “contents” and “activity” entries on the label should bear the information required in (a) and (b) above, respectively, totalled together for the entire contents of the overpack or freight container except that on labels for overpacks or freight containers containing mixed loads of packages containing different radionuclides, such entries may read “See Transport Documents”.

d) Transport index. No transport index entry is required for Category I-WHITE.

This information is important in the event of an incident or accident where content information may be needed to evaluate the hazard. The Category-II/III-YELLOW labels also show the TI of the cargo unit (i.e. package, overpack, and freight container). The TI information is used to control the accumulation and ensure proper separation of cargo units. The limits on the sum of TIs in such groups of cargo units prescribed in the Regulations can be effectively implemented with the help of the information provided by the labels.

Placarding

Large freight containers carrying packages other than excepted packages should bear four placards which conform to the model given in Fig. 5. The placards should be affixed in a vertical orientation on each side wall and each end wall of the large freight container. Any placards which do not relate to the contents should be removed. Instead of using both labels and placards, it is permitted as an alternative to use enlarged labels only, where appropriate, as shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, with dimensions of the minimum size shown in Fig. 5. The enlarged label also serves the function of a placard.

FIG. 5.Placard. Minimum dimensions should be as shown. When different dimensions are used the relative proportions must be maintained. The number ‘7’ should not be less than 25 mm high. The use of the word “RADIOACTIVE” in the bottom half is optional to allow the

alternative use of this placard to display the appropriate United Nations number for the consignment.

Where the consignment in the freight container is required to be shipped under exclusive use and is a packaged radioactive material with a single United Nations number, the appropriate United Nations number for the consignment should also be displayed, in black digits not less than 65 mm high, either:

a) in the lower half of the placard shown in Fig. 5 and against the white background, or

b) on the placard shown in Fig. 6.

If the placard shown in Fig.6 is used, the subsidiary placard should be affixed immediately adjacent to the main placard, on all four sides of the freight container.

FIG. 6. Placard for separate display of United Nations number. The background colour of the placard should be orange and the border and United Nations number should be black. The symbol “****” denotes the space in which the United Nations number for the radioactive

material should be displayedTests before each shipment

For each shipment, before the shipment commences, it is necessary to check and confirm that the conditions of operation specified in the approval certificate are duly satisfied. A check-list of the regulatory requirements should be developed and used for performing the inspection before each shipment. This requirement includes –

a) inspection of the lifting attachments to ensure that they are proper;

b) verification that requirements in approval certificates are complied with; and

c) demonstration that thermal and pressure stability has been reached.

Some times packages are kept unused for long periods. In such cases, packages should be inspected to confirm compliance with the Regulatory requirements. The results of each inspection should be documented.

The temperature should be measured over a defined period in order to ensure that steady state conditions have been reached. The tests should be sensitive and the performance of the tests should not degrade the integrity of the package. Non-conformance with the approved design requirements should be documented and reported to the competent authority which approved the design. Further, the package should not be forwarded for transport until conformance with the regulations is duly achieved.

Every Type B(U), Type B(M) and Type C package should be tested, after closing the package and before transport, to confirm leak-tightness as specified in the certificate.

If the radioactive material transported is in special form it may be considered that containment of the package is provided by the radioactive material itself.

Transport documents

The transport documents play a vital role in providing information about the consignment . They inform the carrier and the consignee as well as other parties concerned of the exact nature of a consignment. This information, serves the consignor as a check-list of the regulatory requirements applicable to the consignment. The consignor should include in the transport documents the following information, as applicable, in this order:

Name and address of the consignor:

Name and address of the consignee:

Description of the consignment Particulars of the consignment

The United Nations number assigned to the material as specified in the Regulations

UN xxxx (e.g. UN 2916)

The proper shipping name, as specified in the Regulations

e.g. RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE B(U) PACKAGE

The United Nations Class number 7

The name or symbol of the radionuclide e.g. 60Co

Description of the physical and chemical form of the material

Special form radioactive material

Other form radioactive material

Low dispersible radioactive material

Physical form

Chemical form

The maximum activity of the radioactive contents during transport

GBq/ TBq/ PBq

The category of the package I-WHITE/ II-YELLOW/ III-YELLOW

The transport index of the package

The identification mark for each competent authority approval certificate

special form / low dispersible radioactive material

special arrangement

package design

shipment

Consignor’s certification / declaration I hereby declare that the contents of this consignment are fully and accurately described by the proper shipping name and are classified, packaged, marked and labelled/placarded, and are in all respects in proper condition for transport according to the applicable international and national governmental regulations

Name & signature of consignor

Date:

If the consignment is shipped under exclusive use it should be indicated as “EXCLUSIVE USE SHIPMENT”.

For consignments of more than one package, this information should be given for each package.

For packages in an overpack or freight container or aircraft, a detailed statement of the contents of each package within the overpack or freight container or aircraft should be included. Transport documents should be available for each package or collection of packages for the appropriate consignee. This is important with regard to the ‘Consignor’s declaration’. No one other than the consignor can make this declaration. This will ensure that

if a package is removed from an overpack or freight container or aircraft at a point of intermediate unloading, the rest of the shipment can continue its journey.

Consignor’s certification or declaration

The consignor should include in the transport documents a certification or declaration. The declaration should be signed and dated by the consignor. Facsimile signatures are acceptable where applicable laws and regulations recognize the legal validity of facsimile signatures. If the documentation is presented to the carrier by means of electronic data processing (EDP) or electronic data interchange (EDI) transmission techniques, the signature(s) may be replaced by the name(s) (in capitals) of the person authorized to sign. The declaration should be made on the same transport document which contains the particulars of consignment listed above.

Information for carriers

The consignment may require actions to be taken during transport, for example, checking the tie-down of the package on the floor of the aircraft may need to be taken during the carriage. At the time of handing the package to the carrier instruction about such actions should be provided by the consignor. If no such action is required, the consignor should inform the carrier accordingly. If an emergency should occur during carriage, the carrier should be advised about special instruction, if any. To meet these ends, the consignor should provide in the transport documents a statement regarding actions, if any, which are required to be taken by the carrier. The statement should be in the languages deemed necessary by the carrier or the authorities concerned, and should include at least the following points:

a) Supplementary requirements for loading, stowage, carriage, handling and unloading of the package, overpack or freight container including any special stowage provisions for the safe dissipation of heat, or a statement that there are no such requirements.

b) Restrictions on the mode of transport or aircraft and any necessary routeing instructions. [If the consignment includes a Type B(M) package in respect of which the necessary approval for the package has not been obtained from the competent authority of a country, the aircraft should have no scheduled stop in the country though it may fly over the country. Any additional requirements specified in the ICAO TI must be complied with. A Type B(M) package or a consignment under exclusive use is not permitted to be transported in a passenger aircraft and the carrier should be informed accordingly. If the package is transported under special arrangement the carrier should be informed about it.]

c) Emergency arrangements appropriate to the consignment. (The actions should include measures that aim at mitigating the consequences of an emergency and informing the concerned persons.)

The applicable competent authority certificates need not necessarily accompany the consignment. The consignor should make them available to the carrier(s) before loading and unloading.

Notification of competent authorities

Before the first shipment

Before the first shipment of any package requiring competent authority approval, the consignor should ensure that copies of each relevant competent authority certificate applying to that package design have been submitted to –

a) the competent authority of the country of origin of the shipment and

b) the competent authority of each country through or into which the consignment is to be transported.

The consignor is not required to await an acknowledgement from the competent authority.

The competent authority is not required to make such acknowledgement of receipt of the certificate.

For each shipment

For each shipment listed below, the consignor should notify the competent authority of the country of origin of the shipment and the competent authority of each country through or into which the consignment is to be transported. This notification should be in the hands of each competent authority prior to the commencement of the shipment, and preferably at least 7 days in advance.

a) Type C packages containing radioactive material with an activity greater than

(i) 3000A1 if the radioactive material is in specials form, or 3000A2, if the radioactive material is in specials form or

(ii) 1000 TBq,

whichever is the lower;

b) Type B(U) packages containing radioactive material with an activity greater than

(i) 3000A1 if the radioactive material is in specials form, or 3000A2, if the radioactive material is in specials form or

(ii) 1000 TBq,

whichever is the lower;

c) Type B(M) packages;

d) Shipments under special arrangement.

The consignment notification should include:

a) Sufficient information to enable the identification of the package or packages including all applicable certificate numbers and identification marks;

b) Information on the date of shipment, the expected date of arrival and proposed routeing;

c) The names of the radioactive materials or nuclides;

d) Descriptions of the physical and chemical forms of the radioactive material, or whether it is special form radioactive material or low dispersible radioactive material; and

e) The maximum activity of the radioactive contents during transport expressed in units of becquerels or multiples thereof, that is, Bq or GBq or TBq or PBq.

Some times in the application for shipment approval, the information listed above may already have been included. In that case, the consignor is not required to send a separate notification.

Possession of certificates and instructions

The consignor should have in his possession a copy of each certificate required in the Regulations and a copy of the instructions with regard to the proper closing of the package and other preparations for shipment before making any shipment under the terms of the certificates.

Forwarding the package and interface with the carrier

Specific requirements for transport by air

The following restrictions are specified in the international regulations for transport of radioactive material by air:

a) Not to be transported by air –

i. Package which require external cooling with an ancillary cooling system; and

ii. Packages that are subject to operational controls during transport.

b) Not to be transported on passenger aircraft –

i. Packages which are described as Type B(M); and

ii. Consignments under exclusive use.

(c) Any additional restrictions specified in the ICAO TI.

Non-compliance

If the consignor is informed by the consignee or the carrier about non-compliance with any limits in these regulations applicable to radiation level or contamination, the consignor should

(i) take immediate steps to mitigate the consequences of the non-compliance;

(ii) investigate the non-compliance and its causes, circumstances and consequences;

(iii) take appropriate action to remedy the causes and circumstances that led to the non-compliance and to prevent a recurrence of circumstances similar to those that led to the non-compliance; and

(iv) communicate to the relevant competent authority(ies) on the causes of the non-compliance and on corrective or preventive actions taken or to be taken.

To ensure uninterrupted and safe transport

The shipment may traverse many countries. The regulatory requirements applicable to each country should be satisfied so that an occurrence of delay or denial of shipment is minimised.

REFERENCES

1. INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, 2009 Edition, Safety Requirements No. TS-R-1, Vienna, 2009.

2. INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, Advisory Material for the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, 2005 Edition, Safety Requirements No. TS-G-1.1, Vienna, 2008.

3. INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, Schedules for the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, 2005 Edition, Safety Requirements No. TS-G-1.5, Vienna, 2008.

4. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION, Sealed Radioactive Sources – Classification, ISO 2919:1980 (E), Geneva (1980).

5. INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, Radiation Protection Programmes for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, 2005 Edition, Safety Requirements No. TS-G-1.3, Vienna, 2007.

6. INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, Planning and Preparing for Emergency Response to Transport Accidents Involving Radioactive Material, IAEA Safety Standards Series No. TS-G-1.2 (ST-3), IAEA, Vienna (2002).

Exercise 8.1

E-8.1.1 For the radioactive materials listed below determine whether a Type A package or a Type B(U)/(M) package or a Type C package would be required.

Radionuclide Activity to be transported

TBq

Special form/

Other form

A1

TBq

A2

TBq

Type A Type B(U)/

Type B(M)

Type C

60 Co 400 Special 0.4 0.460 Co 4 Other 0.4 0.4192 Ir 2 Other 1 0.6137 Cs 100 Special 2 0.660Co 2000 Other 0.4 0.460Co 45000 Special 0.4 0.4

E-8.1.2 Develop a generic check list for all the large activity radioactive material transported by your institution.

E-8.1.3 Develop a check-list of the regulatory requirements for the inspection before each shipment.

E-8.1.4 If you want to transport a 60 Co source of activity 400 TBq to a teletherapy centre by air how would you select a package?

E-8.1.5 Before making the first shipment with a newly fabricated Type B(U) packaging what tests would you perform?

E-8.1.6 How would you prepare a package before you give it to the carrier for transport?

E-8.1.7 Before each shipment what tests would you perform on the package?

E-8.1.8 What are the restrictions for transport of Type B(U)/(M) packages by air?

E-8.1.9 What are the competent authority approvals required in respect of special form radioactive material and low dispersible radioactive material?

E-8.1.10 What are the competent authority approvals required in respect of Type B(U)/(M) and Type C packages?

E-8.1.11 What are the competent authority approvals required in respect of shipment of radioactive material?

E-8.1.12 Write a few lines about transport under Exclusive Use.

E-8.1.13 Write a few lines about transport under Special Arrangement.

E-8.1.14 List the differences between your national regulations and the IAEA Regulations.

E-8.1.15 Briefly describe the response machinery you have in your country to handle a transport emergency involving radioactive material.

E-8.1.16 While forwarding a Type B(M) package containing 300 TBq of 60 Co for transport by air what information should you give the carrier about stowage, storage-in-transit, segregation of the package from individuals, common loading with non-radioactive cargo and common loading with explosives?

E-8.1.17 Describe the regulatory requirements relating to determination of TI and marking and labelling requirements that apply to the transport of a large number of packages in a rigid overpack.

E-8.1.18 Describe the regulatory requirements relating to determination of TI and marking, labelling and placarding requirements that apply to the transport of a large number of packages in a freight container.

Appendix 1

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OF AN RPP FOR A CONSIGNOR OF RADIOISOTOPES

1. This is an operating manual on the radiation protection programme of ABC Radioisotopes. The institution undertakes to implement the provisions of this manual.

Scope

2. The scope of this RPP covers the transport and storage of 60 Co sources. ABC Radioisotopes supply typically 500 packages per year to users all over the world. The packages used are all of Type B(U)/(M). About 30 % of the packages are of Category III – YELLOW; and 70% of the packages are of Category II – YELLOW. The maximum TI encountered is 3.5 and the packages with this TI would be a small fraction of those of Category III – YELLOW.

Roles and responsibilities

3. The RPP would be managed by Ms. X, who is trained in radiation protection. Ms. X must ensure that all requirements of the RPP are met, including:

– Training of workers and implementation of proper working procedures;

– Assessment of worker exposures, if necessary by individual monitoring or area monitoring;

– Emergency procedures.

4. Specific role for the dispatch staff:

Verify the following for compliance in respect of each package/shipment:

— Description of the material in the shipment (e.g. 60 Co);

— Type of packages to be shipped [e.g. Type B(U)];

— Activity, isotopes (e.g. 400 TBq);

— Shipper’s declaration;

— Labels on packages, providing all required information (TI & category);

— Markings on the package;

— Certificate of conformance with contamination limits;

— Information on action to be taken in the event of an emergency;

— Conditions for storage, loading and securing of the packages on the conveyance.

5. The specific role for the driver of the delivery van is to obtain information on the following:

— Information on action to be taken in the event of an emergency;

— Conditions for storage, loading and securing of the packages on the conveyance;

— Dose rates around the loaded delivery van.

Dose assessment and optimization

6. To identify the level of individual potential exposure and to determine monitoring requirements, ABC Radioisotopes deployed the services of the firm’s radiation adviser (Mr. Y). The assessment was made on the basis of:

— The number and type of packages handled in the firm;

— The category of packages and the TI moved;

— The radionuclides being shipped;

— The frequency of shipment;

— The duration of storage prior to transport.

7. The study showed that the maximum radiation dose that a cargo handler of ABC Radioisotopes would receive would be about 3 mSv in a year on the basis of the present work load, while the figure for the driver was 1 mSv. Workplace monitoring would be conducted as determined by the radiation adviser. Dose records would be maintained.

8. The area monitors and the contamination monitors recommended by the radiation adviser have been procured and are available to ABC Radioisotopes for regular use. These monitors are calibrated as recommended by the radiation adviser. Packages, conveyances and workplaces are monitored by Ms. X to verify the continued validity of the results of the initial dose assessment.

9. The dose is kept as low as reasonably achievable by:

— Increasing the segregation distances beyond the minimum requirements where possible;

— Minimizing the presence of workers in the vicinity of the packages (i.e. within a distance of 5 m);

— Using a trolley to take the packages from the storeroom to the loading area;

— Keeping the packages in the shielded bays in the storeroom until as late as possible before loading.

Surface contamination

10. The radioactive material is transported in appropriate packages which is in good condition. If damage to packages is suspected, checks for contamination will be made by Ms. X. Weekly checks for contamination are made of the working area and conveyances. Conveyances (or areas of conveyances) that have been used for the transport of radioactive material are checked for contamination before being used for other purposes. The results of the contamination checks would be recorded and retained.

Segregation and other protective measures

11. The storage area is 10 m from the office. The office workers are regarded by ABC Radioisotopes as members of the public. The packages are stored for a maximum of 1 h per day. Therefore the maximum TI number at this distance would be limited to 10, corresponding to an annual dose of 1 mSv. This is the maximum TI anticipated for present operations.

Emergency response

12. In the event of an accident (falling, crushing or fire) during storage or loading of the radioactive consignment in the vehicle, Ms. X would implement the following measures:

— Take care of people in need of first aid and emergency medical help;

— Assess the risk of, or occurrence of, fire and use the fire extinguisher if appropriate;

— Call the radiation adviser for help;

— Keep communication lines (telephone lines) open;

— With the help of and under the direction of the radiation adviser, clean up the affected area and collect the damaged packages and radioactive waste, if any;

— Obtain a certificate from the radiation adviser to confirm that the affected area is safe for normal use again;

— Resume operations as normal;

— Arrange for the safe disposal of any radioactive waste, as recommended by the radiation adviser;

— Inform the competent authority of the incident.

13. These instructions are displayed prominently in the storage bay, the vehicle loading area and the vehicle so that, in the absence of Ms. X, any other responsible person would be able to take these measures.

14. Emergency contact details:

Telephone numbers

Person Office Residence

Mr. / Ms. X ########## ##########

Radiation adviser ########## ##########

Others ########## ##########

Training

15. The persons listed below, being employees of ABC Radioisotopes engaged in the preparation of packages containing sources for transport, have received the appropriate training:

Ms. ……………………

Mr. ……………………

16. They can fulfil the duties assigned in this RPP, namely:

– Completion of transport documents;

– Preparation of the packages;

– Measurements of dose rates and TI;

– Completion and application of package labels;

– Loading of packages onto the vehicle;

– Segregation of packages;

– Emergency procedures.

17. The training that they have received fulfils the applicable requirements of the competent authority and the policies of ABC Radioisotopes. They will be subject to retraining every two years.

Management system for procedures and practices

18. The RPP is part of the system of management system documents of ABC Radioisotopes and is subject to all the requirements of the management system for procedures and practices, such as document and version control, document review, issuing and review of instructions and procedures, follow-up of non-conformances, etc.

19. This radiation protection programme, Version No. ………… is approved

Signature………………., date: …….

(Name and designation)