Packaging and Transportation Safety - Critical to Department of Energy Site Cleanup and Closure

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management is responsible for risk reduction and cleanup of the environmental legacy of the Nation’s defense nuclear activities. This program is one of the largest, most diverse, and technically complex environmental cleanup programs in the world. Packaging and transportation of radioactive waste and demolition debris to disposal facilities is a critical link in cleaning up contaminated sites and facilities. This paper will describe the key components of the Department’s packaging and transportation programs. The essential component is assuring packagings are certified to meet regulatory requirements. Safety is in the packaging, and the rigorous Packaging Certification Program will be described. Being prepared for emergencies is an important priority, and the comprehensive Transportation Emergency Preparedness Program will be presented. This paper will also describe how motor carriers are selected to assure only the very best carriers are used. The Department’s satellite-based tracking program (TRANSCOM), an important facet of shipment monitoring and emergency response, will also be discussed. Finally, data will be presented demonstrating the unsurpassed effectiveness of these integrated safety-related activities.