TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS AS PART OF THE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS

The transport of radioactive materials (RAM) can be seen as being a part of the transport of dangerous goods. The United Nations has provided recommendations for the classes of dangerous goods I to 6 and 8 to 9, while class 7 requirements have been developed by the IAEA. Both UN and IAEA rules cover all modes of transport, and their work is being followed by other transport-mode related bodies. In all classes of dangerous goods, except class 7, the safe containment of substances under normal transport conditions is required. Some safety margins are provided, for example by safety factors in relation to working loads and specific material requirements. Class 7 , however, defines an accident-safe packaging, the so-called Type B(U) package, that is designed, tested and approved at a much higher level of safety than other types of packagings, which, in any case, are only for small quantities of RAM and which in this respect are comparable to the UN packagings mentioned above. The marking of the packagings with the UN symbol and with the Type B(U) plate should guarantee unhindered shipment. In general, the UN and IAEA bases are accepted all over the world.