Transport of Radioactive Materials Procedure

In the event of an Accident

1. DON’T PANIC. The packaging complies with international standards requirements and is required to withstand accidents. If the damage sustained by the vehicle is less than that required to be reported to police and the vehicle can still be driven, it is extremely unlikely that the radionuclide will be damaged or its container leak.

2. If the vehicle can be driven, deliver the parcel to the consigned address and tell them at delivery that your vehicle was involved in a minor accident on the way.

3. If the vehicle will need to be towed away :-

   1. Carry out first aid for injured people, tell the ambulance driver that the vehicle is carrying radionuclides in labelled packages. (If the package is not severely crushed it is extremely unlikely that the radionuclide will be damaged or its container leak).

   2. Telephone the SENDER at the telephone listed on the consignment note and advise them of the accident. If the package is damaged, request the attendance of a radiation physicist. If the sender cannot be readily contacted, see (e) below.

   3. After first aid procedures have been carried out for injured persons, keep bystanders at least 1 metre away from the boot where the radionuclide was being carried.

   4. Let the tow truck driver move the vehicle to clear the roadway and wait for the arrival of a radiation physicist who will remove the package(s) and check for any radioactive contamination.

   5. When the sender cannot be contacted, telephone Radiation Emergencies on 9346 3333 and tell the switchboard operator:-
      1. there has been an accident to a vehicle carrying radionuclides.
      2. location of the accident.
      3. whether anyone has been injured.
      4. whether a radiation physicist is needed to remove damaged packages containing radionuclides.

Transport Information for Type A packages of Radioactive Materials

• Transport of radionuclides by motorcycle is NOT permitted.
• Carry packages securely in the boot of a car or away from driver in vans and station wagons.
• All packages must comply with the requirements of the Code of Practice for Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances 1990.
• Display the three yellow transport signs on the back and sides of the vehicle, remove them after delivery is completed.
• Check that a consignment form is attached to each package and that it has been completed with details of each radionuclide being delivered and its destination.
• Persons transporting radionuclides must do so under the general supervision of a Radiation Safety licensee.

University of Western Australia
Safety and Health
Telephone 6488 3938 office hours
Emergency telephone 9346 3333 all hours
Fax 6488 1179

 Transport Information for Excepted Packages of Radioactive Materials

• This sheet must be on the vehicle dash when transporting excepted packages of radioactive materials.
• Transport of radionuclides by motorcycle is NOT permitted.
• Carry packages securely in the boot of a car or away from driver in vans and station wagons.
• All packages must comply with the requirements of the Code of Practice for Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances 1990.
• Persons transporting radionuclides must do so under the general supervision of a Radiation Safety licensee.

University of Western Australia
Safety and Health
Telephone 6488 3938 office hours
Emergency telephone 9346 3333 all hours
Fax 6488 1179

Provided all packages are labelled as above, a placard carried in the vehicle during transport describing the material as ‘radioactive material, excepted package’ and the United Nations number 2910 fulfills the requirements for transport documents to accompany the packages. Placards are available from Safety and Health.

Placard Example