NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-72-094
Recommendation
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: REQUIRE THAT AIR CARRIERS HAVE AVAILABLE ONE RESPONSIBLE, WELL-TRAINED INDIVIDUAL WHO IS DESIGNATED TO ACCEPT ALL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RECEIVED FOR SHIPMENT.
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
SINCE THE AIR CARRIERS ACCEPT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FOR AIR SHIPMENT AT MANY LOCATIONS, THIS RECOMMENDATION IS NOT PRACTICAL. REGULATORY AMENDMENTS DISCUSSED UNDER RECOMMENDATION NO. 93 SHOULD ASSURE THAT ENOUGH TRAINED PERSONNEL ARE AVAILABLE AT EACH LOCATION WHERE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ARE ACCEPTED.