NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-72-087
Recommendation
ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY WORKING GROUP, COMPOSED OF REPRESENTATIVES OF SHIPPERS, CARRIER MANAGEMENT AND LABOR, GOVERNMENTAL MODAL AND SAFETY ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE PUBLIC, TO INQUIRE INTO THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL PRIVATE OR REGULATORY SAFETY CONTROLS IN THE AIR TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, AND TO ADVISE HIM OF ANY CHANGES FOUND TO BE NECESSARY.
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
August 23, 1972 · Recipient Response · DOT
RESPONSE FROM THE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, DOT: CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH A GROUP; HOWEVER, CONSIDERING THE NEED FOR REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL FACETS INVOLVED IN SUCH TRANSPORTATION, AND CONSIDERATING THE RESTRICTIVE PROVISIONS OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11671, IT WAS DECIDED NOT TO DEVELOP AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AT THIS TIME.