NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-72-088
Recommendation
TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: CONTINUE TO PURSUE VIGOROUSLY THE STATED OBJECTIVES OF THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS BOARD TO DEVELOP A REVISED AND STANDARDIZED FORMAT FOR ALL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND A REGULATORY SYSTEM BASED ON TECHNICALLY STANDARDIZED CRITERIA ENCOMPASSING ALL MODES.
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
THE DEPARTMENT AGREED WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION ;