SECTION 14: Transportation and Shipment of Radioactive Materials

• Intra Campus Transportation
• Off Campus Transportation

The "Authorized User" is responsible for insuring that radioactive materials moved between buildings on campus or transported off campus by an individual under his or her authorization are transported in accordance with all applicable regulations, including those set forth in this Guide.

Intra Campus Transportation (top)

Radioactive materials cannot be transported by vehicle over public roads unless the radioactive material is transported in full compliance with state and federal transportation regulations. If it is necessary to transport a quantity of radioactive material exceeding ten times the quantity specified in Appendix C, the "Health Physicist" must be notified beforehand. However, quantities of radioactive materials which do not exceed ten times the quantities specified in Appendix C may be walked between buildings on campus provided the following conditions are met:

1. Radioactive material must be moved in such a manner that material cannot readily be released from the package under normal conditions.
2. A liquid, gas or dispersible solid must be transported in a suitable vessel with an outer container wall of leak-resistant, non-shatterable material.
3. A liquid must be packaged with sufficient absorbent material to completely absorb twice the volume of liquid, e.g., approximately a 4.5:1 ratio by volume for fine grade vermiculite.
4. The inner container must be clearly marked with a "Radioactive Materials" label listing the amount and identify of the radioisotope.
5. Adequate shielding must be provided when appropriate.
6. The inner container must be placed within a closed, strong outer package known to be free of contamination.
7. The outer package must bear a notice that the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (provide a phone number) should be notified if the package is found.

Off Campus Transportation (top)

Radioisotopes shipped or transported to or from destinations outside the University or transferred from one University campus to another shall be packaged and transported in accordance with all pertinent regulations. A complex body of regulations governing highway, rail, air and water transportation of radioactive materials has been promulgated by Federal, State and local authorities. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety is available for consultation and to provide guidance through the maze of transportation regulations. The "Health Physicist" should be consulted at the earliest possible date in advance of a planned shipment. In any case, the planned transportation of radioactive materials to destinations outside the University or from one University campus to another shall be reported to the Office of Environmental Health and Safety prior to the shipment.

1. The "Authorized User" bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring full compliance with all applicable regulations, including packaging, marking, labeling, shipping paper, placarding, and routing regulations where applicable.
2. Any person involved with any aspect of shipping radioactive materials, including preparing a package for shipment, must receive an appropriate level of hazardous materials transportation training. Such training is available from the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. The transport of radioactive materials by private vehicle is strongly discouraged. Any person who transports radioactive materials in a private car must receive a higher level of hazardous materials transportation training.
3. When an outside organization takes possession of radioactive material at the University and transports the material from the University, such actions are done with the understanding that the outside organization is responsible to insure full compliance with all regulations pertinent to the shipment of the material.