ROADRUNNER CONTAINMENT SEAL DAMAGE INVESTIGATION – OPERATING EXPERIENCE

The Roadrunner Transportation Package is a Type B packaging used by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to transport solid radioactive material. In 2005 a damaged containment seal was discovered during routine unloading operations. The packaging’s double seal closure design ensured that the there was no radiological release during transport. The subsequent investigation examined the immediate causes of the incident and, also, assessed the adequacy of OPG’s transportation program. An extensive improvement plan was undertaken based on the investigation findings. The actions were intended to correct identified deficiencies and to implement some longer term improvement initiatives for the transportation program. The specified actions have been implemented by OPG with changes made to: procedures; personnel training and development requirements; package containment integrity checks; a defined approach to infrequently performed shipments; and management’s coaching and oversight roles. The lessons learned from the 2005 Roadrunner incident investigation were applied to many aspects of the OPG radioactive materials transportation program and have led to a stronger program with improved operating procedures, training, supervision and attention to procedural and regulatory compliance. The Roadrunner with the impact limiters retracted in preparation for unloading is shown in Figure 1.