NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-72-092
Recommendation
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: ACCELERATE ITS EFFORTS TO INSPECT AND MONITOR AIR CARRIERS IN ORDER TO INSURE COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE HANDLING AND CARRIAGE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS.
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
July 5, 1972 · Recipient Response · FAA
FAA AND OHM HAVE UNDERTAKEN A NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM FOR FAA INSPECTORS AND AIR CARRIER/SHIPPER PERSONNEL. FAA IS INCREASING STAFFING IN THE FIELD AND HEADQUARTERS (INCLUDING INSPECTORS TO PERFORM SURVEILLANCE AND INSPECTION) AND IS DESIGNATING SPECIALISTS IN REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND HIGH ACTIVITY DISTRICT OFFICES TO COORDINATE MATTERS CONCERNING THE AIR SHIPMENT OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.