NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-72-091
Recommendation
TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: CONSIDER A REVISION TO THE REGULATIONS WHICH PERMIT EITHER A DROP TEST OR INCLUSION OF AN ABSORBENT MATERIAL REQUIREMENT FOR TYPE B OR LARGER SHIPMENTS, TO INCLUDE BOTH REQUIREMENTS IN THE CASE OF LIQUID RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS, OR TO INCLUDE A REQUIREMENT FOR REDUNDANCY OF CONTAINMENT SUCH AS THE ENCLOSURE OF THE INNER CONTAINER IN A SEALED PLASTIC BAG. STANDARDS FOR CONTAINMENT OF LIQUID AND POWDER FORM RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS SHOULD BE REVIEWED WITH CONSIDERATION GIVEN PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MANUFACTURING IMPERFECTIONS, MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS, AND HUMAN ERROR ASPECTS, FOR BOTH NEW AND REUSED TYPE B AND LARGER SHIPPING CONTAINERS.
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
HMRB DOES NOT SEE THE NEED FOR THIS REDUNDANCY SINCE NPRM 72-2 PROPOSES REGULATORY CHANGES WHICH SPEAK TO PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MANUFACTURING IMPERFECTIONS, MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS AND HUMAN ERROR ASPECTS FOR ALL RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS PACKAGES. THESE CHANGES WILL REQUIRE EXAMINATION OR TESTS OF THE PACKAGING AND CLOSURE DEVICES PRIOR TO EACH SHIPMENT. A POSSIBLE ADDITION TO THE PROPOSALS OF THE NPRM AS A REQUIREMENT FOR A PRESSURE TEST OF EACH SHIPMENT IN EXCESSOF TYPE A QUANTITIES. 5/10/74. RECOMMENDED ACTION TAKEN IN PART BY REGULATION 49 CFR 173.393.