1
Radiation Safety Program
Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Class 7 – Shipping
Radiation Safety Office (Central Zone)QEII Bethune Building Room 2441276 South Park StreetHaifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2Y9
CDHA -MS Clip Art File
2
Introduction
The following presentation....
• Provides information on packaging and shipping Class 7 Radioactive Material
• Acts as a refresher for staff working in areas where radioactive material is packaged or shipped
• Serves as part of a radiation safety orientation program for new employees
3
Key Objectives
• Understand the Transportation of Dangerous Goods requirements for Class 7 Radioactive Packages.
• Identify the requirements for packaging radioactive material for Class 7 shipment.
• Identify the documentation required for Class 7 shipments.
• State the differences between ground and air requirements for Class 7 packages.
• Understand the classification, different package limits and shipping requirements for radioactive packages.
4
Correct Labels
radiation warning
shipping address
packing documents
Identified Activity Limits
Correct Package Type
Excepted Package
Type A Package
Tamper proof seal
Shipping Requirements
All shippers are required to meet the following conditions for a package
5
Understand the basic requirements of the regulations governing the transport of radioactive
material.
Regulatory Requirements
Transport is Governed by:
Safety Series on the Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (International Atomic Energy Agency)
Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations(Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission)
TDG Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Clear Language)(Transport Canada)
Where there is a conflict in regulations follow the most restrictive
6
Training required for people who offer for transport or transport dangerous goods
Training provides information necessary to enable employee to do the job
CDHA MS Clip Art File
Training
CertificateValid 3 years (ground), 2 years
(air)
Signed by employer and
employee
Produced on request by inspector
Note that your certificate must be signed
7
There are nine classes of Dangerous Goods
Class 1 – ExplosivesClass 2 – GasesClass 3 – Flammable LiquidsClass 4 – Flammable SolidsClass 5 – Oxidizing SubstancesClass 6 – Poisonous/ InfectiousClass 7 – RadioactiveClass 8 – CorrosiveClass 9 – Miscellaneous
Package Type
8
Radioactive Material is
Class 7
There are no packing groups or risk groups for this classification.
Package Type
9
Class 7 is always a primary class
Primary Class labels on packages take precedence over all other classes
…except 2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.1, 5.2, 6.2
…but labels for these and Class 7 must be used together as all are considered primary classes
Generally, radioactive packages would not need any other label as the other primary classes are rarely
present in radioactive packages.
Package Type
10
The first question to ask, when shipping radioactive material is...
“Do I need to follow the regulations?”
There are few exceptions and virtually all radioactive material used in a hospital setting would fall under the Class 7 Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Package Type
11
You do not need to follow the regulations if you are shipping radioactive material......
Over private roads with controlled access [none shipped at the hospital]
As substance in a human or animal (<10-6A2/kg) [injected patients and animals exempt]
Substance contained in consumer product [none shipped at the hospital]
As Natural ore (<10xA2) [none shipped at the hospital]
Within private property [between buildings at VG exempt .... NOT between sites]
Exempt amounts (generally < 70 Bq/g) or less than 10 MBq (270µCi) of 99mTc!
[thus virtually every radioactive shipment must follow the TDG regulations]
Substance in animal tissue or remains (<10-6A2/kg) [any organ or tissue samples exempt]
Package Type
12
Do I need to follow the regulations?
The next thing to check is to see if your package is exempt
by activity levels.
CDHA MS Clip Art File
Package Type
13
If your activity is less than TDG or CNSC stated limits then you do not have to follow Class 7 Regulations
Exemption Limits for Selected Radionuclides Used in Medicine For radionuclides not listed consult regulations or contact the radiation safety office
Radionuclide
Transport Canada TDG Clear Language
Limits Material (Bq/g)
CNSC and IAEA Exemption Limits
Material (Bq/g)
CNSC and IAEA Exemption Limits for
a Package (Mq)
Carbon 14 70 10,000 10
Cesium 137 70 10 0.01
Chromium 51 70 1,000 10
Cobalt 57 70 100 1
Cobalt 58 70 10 1
Gallium 67 70 100 1
Indium 111 70 100 1
Iodine 123 70 100 10
Iodine 125 70 1,000 1
Iodine 131 70 100 1
Molybdenum 99 70 100 1
Phosphorous 32 70 1,000 0.1
Phosphorous 33 70 100,000 100
Sulphur 35 70 100,000 100
Technetium99m 70 100 10
Thallium 201 70 100 1
Yttrium 90 70 1,000 0.1
Virtually nothing is less so all hospital shipments must follow TDG Class 7 Regulations.
Package Type
14
If it is not exempt....then is it a radioactive package so determine if it should be....
Excepted or Type A?To determine the package type you have to....
Check item activity limits
Differentiate between Liquid or solid
Categorize as Instrument or material
Know the A2 values
Determine if Surface Dose Rate <5 µSv/hr
Package Type
15
Example: Activity Limit is 10-4 the A2 Value for liquid. If activity is over this then it has to go as Type A package.
Activity Limit for
Excepted Packages
is:
(from IAEA SS TS-R-1)
Package Type
16
Use different activity
limits if you are
shipping instrument
s (from IAEA SS TS-R-1)
Use different activity limits for solids versus liquids
Package Type
17
Limited Activity Cutoff
Examples of various Excepted or Type A package limitsRefer to your department reference book for limits.
Cut-off Limits for Selected Radionuclides Used in Medicine
Radionuclide A2(TBq)
Excepted Package Limits
Liquid Form 10-4A2(MBq)
Excepted Package Limits
Solid Form 10-3A2(GBq)
Type A Package Limits A2
(GBq)
Cs137, F18, Mo99 0.6 60 0.6 600
Cobalt 57 10 1000 10 10,000
C14, Ga67, In111 3 300 3 3,000
Iodine 123/125 3 300 3 3,000
Iodine 131 0.7 70 0.7 700
Phosphorous 32 0.5 50 0.5 500
Technetium99m 4 400 4 4,000
Thallium 201 4 400 4 4,000
Yttrium 90 0.3 30 0.3 300
Package Type
18
B(i)∑ A1(i)
C(j)
A2(j)∑+ ≤ 1
B = special form activityA1 = special form valueC = other form activityA2 = other form value
Mixtures of Nuclides in same package
Sum of Nuclide Activities/A1 and 2 values should be < 1
Hospital shipments rarely require this calculation
Package Type
19
The Empty Package
If the package previously contained radioactivity you can
have
β and residual activity up to 100 x 4Bq/cm2 over 300cm2
[120kBq or 3.2uCi]
You can ship empty without labels but you still need
shipping document, UN identification 2908 and the wording
‘Radioactive Material, Excepted Package, Empty Packaging’
Package Type
20
The Empty Package
If nothing is in the package and you document that any β / contamination is below the
limits (4Bq/cm2 over 300cm2)
then it can go as a regular non TDG package.
Package Type
21
The Shipping Container
The Shipping Container must follow strict design requirements
AND
Departments must have a copy of the shipping container certificate of testing
Packaging
22
Key Point 1Need certificate for shipping container
The certificate verifies the container has met the International Atomic Energy Agency standard to
ensure the container can withstand normal transport conditions.
Examples of the testing includes water spray, free drop, stacking and penetration.
It is the responsibility of the manufacturer of the container to ensure the testing is completed.
Packaging
23
Key points…
Label must be on 2 opposite sides of package
Minimum size 100mm
Type of label depends package surface radiation dose rates
Key Point 2Appropriate Labels (Excepted, White I, Yellow II or III)
I White II Yellow III Yellow
Packaging
24
Key points…
Measure radiation dose rate at the package surface and
use correct label
Key Point 3Radiation Level at Surface and 1 metre
I White II Yellow III Yellow
<5uSv/hr 5-500uSv/hr500-2000uSv/
hr
Packaging
Measure radiation dose rate at 1 meter for Yellow II and
III for transport index (dose at 1 m in uSv/hr÷10)
25
Key points…
The package must state that it is a Type A or Excepted package AND have the correct UN number
assigned from the International Atomic Energy Agency standard
Key Point 4UN identification and Package Type
The most common used are: Empty: UN 2908Excepted: UN 2910Type A: UN 2915
Packaging
26
Key points…Key Point 5Emergency Response Guide Number
The emergency response guide number is used by emergency responders to reference the response
required in the event of an accident.
The most common used are:ERG # 161ERG # 163
Packaging
27
Key points…
Some means of allowing the receiver to know if the package may have been tampered with during transport
Key Point 6Tamper Evident Seal
CDHA Photo
This could be tape seal, packing tape, wire seal or some other device.
Packaging
28
UN Identificationnext to package
labelERG # on Package
and Documents
Transport Index at 1
m from surface
(Sv 10)or
(mSv x 100)
Radiation Level at surface
use higher of surface or 1m to determine
label
Label Required on package 2 on opposite sides not on sides the package
rests on or will be stacked on.
minimum 100mm per side
Category
UN 2910 ERG # 161none<5 Sv/hr
None outsideWarning inside with word ‘radioactive’ visible when
package opened
Excepted
UN 2915RADIOACTIVE
MATERIAL, TYPE A PACKAGEERG # 163
none<5 Sv/hralso nuclide name/symbol
or most restrictive of mixture and activity
I White
UN 2915RADIOACTIVE
MATERIAL, TYPE A PACKAGEERG # 163
<1if <0.05 can be
listed as 0
5 Sv/hr to
500 Sv/hr
also nuclide name/symbol or most restrictive of mixture, activity and
transport index
II Yellow
UN 2915RADIOACTIVE
MATERIAL, TYPE A PACKAGEERG # 163
1-10500 Sv/hr
to 2 mSv/hr
also nuclide name/symbol or most restrictive of mixture, activity and transport index
III Yellow
Packaging Summary
29
Vehicle Placards(placed on all four sides of the
vehicle)
Only required for Yellow III package shipments but it is the responsibility of the shipper (sender/consignor) to
provide four of them to the transport carrier each time.
Some carriers have a supply so may not request them. You should have a supply just in case if shipping Yellow III
packages.
Packaging
30
Special Labels
Packages may require additional labels if they
belong to another dangerous goods category
such as blood products (biohazard) or are liquids
and require a specific package orientation.
Packaging
31
Contamination Limits
4 Bq/cm2 for and 0.4 Bq/cm2
for Averaged over 300
cm2
Packaging
So… 4 x 300 = 1200 Bq for efficiency
determinations
32
Three Copies of Shipper’s Declaration need to be prepared
Name & address of shipper and receiver
ID number of shipment, number of pages & date
Type & number of placards (or ‘no placards required’)
One for Shipper (consignor), Carrier, Receiver (consignee)
Required information
Documentation
33
Description of Dangerous Goods in order of...
Shipping name (upper case listed in regulations)
Primary Class (Class 7)
UN Number
Special Instructions or a statement that none are needed
Required information continued
Documentation
34
Quantity & units of goods
Number, name and category of package
Transport index
Emergency Response Guide number
Required information continued
Documentation
35
Required information continued….
A 24 hour number that technical information can be obtained without breaking the telephone connection of the
caller.
Signature of Shipper
Required information continued
Documentation
36
Required information continued….
Declaration: As defined in Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations
Required information continued
I hereby declare that the contents of this consignment are fully and accurately described above by the proper shipping name and are classified, packed, marked and labeled, and are in all respects in proper condition for transport according to applicable international and national governmental regulations.
Documentation
37
CDHA Photo
Shippers are required to package and provide the following for each Class 7 shipment.
Package Type UN numberExcepted
or Type A
Approved Shipping Container
Identified Isotopes and Activity Limits
Tamper evident seal
Radiation warningPacking
documents
Shipping address
The Final Package
38
Requirements of Receiving RecordDate Packaged Received
Name of Supplier
Name of Shipper
Shipping Document Number
Inventory EntryIsotope Name, Activity, Chemical Form, Lot Number.
Results of Receiving Inspection
Requirements of Shipping RecordCopy of Shippers Declaration
Record Retention: Two years after the date on which the packaging occurs
Record Keeping
39
Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP)..only if index number is listed in schedule 1 TDG regs
24 hour contact number during shipment…and
unbroken contact to person calling
Reports to CNSC (tampering, leaking, damaged, lost, stolen)
Immediate preliminary & full within 21 days
Emergencies
40
We all have responsibility for safety in the workplace and saying it’s not my job
doesn’t cut it when it comes to safety.
The end.....now you can do the quiz
CDHA
When in doubt call your supervisorYou will never be in trouble for asking questions or asking for help when it comes to radiation safety.
CDHA PHOTO
CDHA PHOTO
41
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Citing Websites. Packaging and Transport Regulations . In Acts and Regulations. Retrieved September 1, 2011 from http://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/lawsregs/actsregulations/index.cfm
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. INFO Document 0426 rev1 Identifying and Opening Radioactive Packages: Ottawa: Author.
International Atomic Energy Agency. (2009). Regulations for the Safety Transport of Radioactive Material No. TS-R-1. Vienna: Author.
References