Radiation protection programs for carriers

Carriers are required to review their handling processes and implement a radiation protection program. This ensures all personnel involved in the transport of nuclear substances are protected from radiation.

The radiation protection program is required by the Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015 (PTNSR 2015). The extent and nature of the program is determined by the level of risk associated with the transport of the nuclear substances.

Overview

A carrier is defined by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDG Regulations).

A carrier is a person who, whether or not for hire or reward, has possession of dangerous goods while they are in transport. Carriers may include:

• shipping lines
• airlines and air cargo shippers
• rail companies
• couriers
• trucking companies

Most carriers do not require a licence from the CNSC. Carriers are required to have a radiation protection program in accordance with section 31 of the PTNSR 2015. The exception to this is if their transport activities involve only excepted packages.

REGDOC-2.14.1, Packaging and Transport, Volume II, Radiation Protection Program Design for the Transport of Nuclear Substances, provides guidance for the implementation of a radiation protection program to transport nuclear substances. This document is intended to assist carriers who are regulated under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) but are not necessarily licensed by the CNSC. The guidance provided aligns with the applicable International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safety Standards Series No. TS-G-1.3, Radiation Protection Programmes for the Transport of Radioactive Material.

Key points

Note these key points about radiation protection programs for carriers:

• Most carriers transporting nuclear substances must implement a radiation protection program, even if they are not licensed by the CNSC.
• Radiation protection programs must align with the PTNSR 2015 and international regulations. The aim is to keep radiation exposure to workers and the public as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).
• The complexity of a program depends on the level of risk, ranging from basic awareness to comprehensive training and procedures for high-risk operations.
• CNSC transport officers assess and oversee programs for carrier radiation protection.

Purpose and scope of the radiation protection program

The purpose of a radiation protection program is to control packaging and transport activities involving nuclear substances. This ensures radiation doses to workers and the public are kept as low as reasonably achievable taking into account social and economic factors.

The level of risk determines the nature and extent of a radiation protection program required. The radiation protection program may be as simple as ensuring that workers have a basic understanding of radiation protection principles. Or it may involve the development of a detailed radiation protection program where each worker is trained in the program.

Appendix A of REGDOC-2.14.1 provides the type of information that the CNSC expects to see in a radiation protection program for carriers. It also includes a methodology for determining the risk category for the program.

Compliance

The radiation protection programs of carriers can be assessed by CNSC inspectors to ensure they are adequate.

Consignor responsibility

To ensure that nuclear substances are transported safely, consignors (senders) should ensure that any carriers they are using have an adequate radiation protection program in place.