NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-72-086
Recommendation
TO THE UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION: REQUIRE THE CONSIGNEES OF ALL SHIPMENTS OF TYPE B OR LARGER AMOUNTS OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS TO ASSURE THAT THESE SHIPMENTS ARE PROMPTLY PICKED UP FROM THE CARRIER'S FACILITY, AND ARE DELIVERED TO AND MONITORED WITHOUT DELAY AT THE FACILITY OF THE CONSIGNEE.
Safety Issue and Context
THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD INITIATED THIS STUDY IN ORDER TO INVESTIGATE A RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION INCIDENT INVOLVING A U.S. AIR CARRIER AND TO INVESTIGATE ALL ASPECTS OF THE AIR SHIPMENT OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS. THE SAFETY BOARD'S STUDY LED IT TO THE CONCLUSION THAT, AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS CARRIED BY AIR DO NOT NORMALLY CONSTITUTE ANY UNUSUAL RISK OF LIFE TO THE PUBLIC. NEVERTHELESS, AS THE GOVERNMENT RELINQUISHES MORE OF ITS ACTIVITIES TO PRIVATE INDUSTRY AND AS THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY CONTINUES ITS PHENOMENAL GROWTH, THE PROLIFERATION OF THE SYSTEM PRESENTS NEW DEMANDS FOR VIGILANCE IF THE CURRENT MINIMAL RISK TO THE PUBLIC IS NOT TO RISE.
ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD'S PRIMARY CONCERN IS NOT THE RISKS ENGENDERED BY PRESENT OPERATIONS, BUT RATHER, IT IS THE RISK POTENTIAL CREATED BY THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY.
Response History
May 16, 1973 · Recipient Response · United States Atomic Energy Commission
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN AEC. REGULATIONS BEING PROPOSED TO REQUIRE LICENSEES WHO PICK UP PACKAGES AT THE CARRIER'S FACILITY TO DO SO AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE; TO SURVEY LABELLED PACKAGES OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL ON RECEIPT, AND TO REPORT ANY LEAK TO THE AEC AND TO THE CARRIERS. AGREEMENT STATES WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO ADOPT SIMILAR RULE CHANGES. 7/11/74.
LETTER FROM AEC TO SAY - AMENDMENT TO 10 CFR 20 ADDS REQUIREMENTS THAT LICENSEES WHO EXPECT TO RECEIVE A TYPE B PACKAGE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO RECEIVE THE PACKAGE WHEN IT IS OFFERED FOR DELIVERY AT HIS FACILITY BY THE CARRIER, OR, IF THE PACKAGE IS TO BE PICKED UP BY THE LICENSEE AT THE CARRIER FACILITY, MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION FROM THE CARRIER OF THEARRIVAL OF THE PACKAGE, AT THE TIME OF ARRIVAL; THAT LICENSEES WHO PICK UP PACKAGES OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL AT CARRIER'S FACILITIES DO SO EXPEDITIOUSLY; THAT LICENSEES MONITOR CERTAIN PACKAGES OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL SOON AFTER RECEIPT; AND THAT LICENSEES NOTIFY AEC AND THE CARRIER OF ANY LEAKING PACKAGES OR EXCESSIVE EXTERNAL RADIATION LEVELS ON TYPE B PACKAGES.
THESE MEASURES IMPROVE THE EARLY DETECTION AND REPORTING OF ANY PACKAGES OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL WHICH WERE LEAKING OR INADEQUATELY SHIELDED IN THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.