1. June 4, 2014 Panama City, Panama
Regional Workshop for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material in the Caribbean Module 3.2 Package Marking, Labelling and Transport Documentation
June 4, Panama City, Panama
Paul Gray

2. Overview
Package communication
Marking of packages
Labeling of packages
Placarding of vehicles
Transport document
Summary

3. Package Communication
The Regulations establish requirements ensuring that the hazards posed by a consignment are clearly communicated to all parties concerned to facilitate:
complete radiation protection at all phases
correct emergency response for accidents
It is through markings and labels that the package communicates with the outside world. The labels and markings :
announce the package “type”
describe the content
indicate the radiation level outside the package
Suggest emergency response needs

4. Package Communication
Communication is accomplished by:
Marking packages
labeling packages
placarding freight containers, tanks, road and rail vehicles
transport documents
Certificates and notifications for packages subject to competent authority approval
UN 2910
Packages are marked in addiiton to being labelled. The UN number appropriate to the radioactive content must be marked on the package and included on the transport documents (i.e. for a Type B(U) package containing cobalt-60 used for sterilization of medical products or for teletherapy, itwill have a UN 2916 reference).

5. General Requirements for Application of Package Markings
Durable
Legible
Visible
Contrasting background
Recommended size:
12.5 mm for light weight packages (i.e., up to a few hundred kg)
65 mm for large packages
Labels must be affixed to the outside of the package or transport container in conspicuous, clearly visible locations

6. General Marking Requirements for all Radioactive Material Packages
Identification of Consignee / Consignor or both
Proper shipping name (not for excepted packages)
UN Number
Gross mass (if >50 kg)
Package Type (not for
excepted packages; see
also Module 2.6 Transport Package Types))
To: Ilah Wannit
Radioactive Material, Type A Package
UN 2915
55 kg
Type IP-1
Paras

7. Overview of Specific Additional Marking of Packages
Industrial Packages
Type A Packages
Type B Packages
Type of Package:
- Type IP-1
- Type IP-2
- Type IP-3
VRI Code for
Name of Manufacturer
or other identification
for Type IP-2 and IP-3
Type of Package
- Type A
VRI Code
Name of Manufacturer
or other identification
Type of Package:
- Type B(U)
- Type B(M)
- Type C
Trefoil Symbol
Serial Number
Competent authority
identification mark
(approval certificate)
Paras

8. Labeling Consignor responsibility Types of Labels Labeling applies to:
Selecting label
Entering data on labels
Applying labels
Types of Labels
Radiation category labels
Fissile material labels
Labeling applies to:
Packages
Overpacks
Freight containers
FISSILE 7
SAFETY INDEX
CRITICALITY
Minimum dimensions = 100mm x 100mm
Paras. 538, 545

9. Determining the Appropriate Category
There are three factors in determining category:
Surface radiation level
Transport Index (TI)
Special arrangement shipments
Para. 529

10. Categorization of Packages and Overpacks of Radioactive Material
Packages and overpacks shall be assigned to one of three categories:
I-WHITE
II-YELLOW, or
III-YELLOW
Para. 529

11. Transport Index is the Key to Control over Radiation Exposure in Transport
The Transport Index (TI) is a single number assigned to a package, overpack, tank, or freight container used to provide control over radiation exposure
II-Yellow and
III-Yellow
Labels

12. Determining Transport Index (TI)
Determination of TI
1. Maximum radiation level in mSv/h at 1m (RL1m)
2. Multiply value determined by 100
3. Resulting number is the TI
Round up to the nearest first decimal
TI <0.05 may be considered zero (0)
RL1m (mSv/hr) x 100 = TI
Para. 523

13. Transport Index is the Key to Control over Radiation Exposure in Transport
TI is used to establish:
Content limits on packages, overpacks, tanks, or freight containers
Necessity of exclusive use shipment
Segregation requirements during storage or transit
Mixing restrictions during transport or storage under special arrangements
Limiting number of packages in freight container or conveyance
Paras. 526, 562, 563,

14. TI for Overpacks, Freight Containers and Conveyances
Rigid overpack, freight container or conveyance containing packages, either:
Sum the derived TIs to obtain total TI, or
Derive the total TI from direct measurement of radiation level of overpack, freight container or conveyance
Non-rigid overpack containing packages:
Sum the derived TIs to obtain total TI
Para. 524

15. ….Entering data on the label
Activity of radioactive contents – Packages
Maximum activity during transport (units of Bq with appropriate SI prefix)
If fissile material, mass of fissile material in grams (or multiples thereof) may be used in place of activity
Activity of radioactive contents – Overpack and Freight Container
Total activity of all packages
Cs-137, Sr-90
65 MBq
Para. 540(b), Annex II

16. ….Entering data on the label
Transport Index
Applicable to II-YELLOW and III-YELLOW
Rounded to nearest first decimal
Remember, TI <0.05 may be considered to be 0
Cs-137, Sr-90
65 MBq
e.g., Radiation level at 1 m = mSv/h
then, x 100 = 0.63 … TI = 0.7
0.7
Para. 540 (d)

17. Other Labeling Requirements
Other Dangerous Goods
Additional labels as required for other dangerous goods properties of the contents
Non-applicable Labels
All labels not relating to the package content must be removed
Paras. 507, 538

18. Radioactive material placards apply to:
Placarding
Radioactive material placards apply to:
Large freight containers
Tanks
Rail and road vehicles carrying packages, overpacks or freight containers (other than excepted packages)
Rail and road vehicles carrying consignments under exclusive use
Unpackaged LSA Material or SCO consignments in or on a vehicle
Paras. 543, 544, 571, 572

19. When and How to Placard Class 7 Placard only
Road and rail vehicles carrying Class 7 labelled packages, overpacks or freight containers
Road and rail vehicles carrying consignments under exclusive use
Large freight containers carrying packages (other than excepted packages)
Tanks
Paras. 543, 571

20. Where to Place the Placards
Placement for road and rail vehicles
Rail vehicle: 2 external lateral walls
Road vehicle: 2 external lateral walls and external rear wall
In the case of vehicles without sides:
affix directly on cargo carrying unit (must be readily visible)
In the case of vehicles carrying physically large tanks or freight containers
Placard on tank or freight
container sufficient
Paras. 543, 571

21. Where to Place the Placards
Placement for freight containers & tanks
Large freight containers carrying packages (other than excepted packages)
each side and each end wall
Tanks
Subsidiary placard
When used, it shall be affixed immediately adjacent to the main placard
Cs-137, Sr-90
65 MBq
0.7
2915
Paras. 543, 544, 571, 572

22. Responsibility for Marking, Labeling and Placarding
Compliance with the requirements for marking, labeling and placarding is the responsibility of the
CONSIGNOR

23. Transport Document Describes particulars of the consignment
Consignor is responsible
Requires specific information in a specified order format
Concludes with the Consignor’s Declaration

24. Information and Configuration of the Transport Document
For each consignment, in the following order:
UN number (Table 1.)
Proper shipping name (Table 1.)
“7” (UN Class number)
Subsidiary hazard class, if applicable
Name or symbol of each radionuclide
for mixtures, a general description or a list of the most restrictive nuclides
Para. 546(a)-(e)

25. Transport documentation
The documentation which accompanies the package provides comprehensive details including
Particulars of the shipment
Approvals
Consignor / consignee address
Special handling instructions
Emergency actions
Consignor’s declaration
Any other documents such as insurance papers as necessary

26. Information and Configuration of the Transport Document
For each consignment (continued):
Description of the physical and chemical form of the material
not required if special form radioactive material or low dispersible radioactive material and so noted
Maximum activity per package of the radioactive contents during transport
expressed in units of Bq with appropriate prefix
for fissile material, mass of fissile material in units of grams (g) optional in place of activity
Para. 546(f)-(g)

27. Information for Carriers Required in the Transport Document
Statement regarding actions, if any, required to be taken by the carrier (written in languages deemed necessary by the carrier or the authorities concerned) :
Supplementary requirements for loading, stowage, carriage, handling and unloading
Special stowage provisions for the safe dissipation of heat or statement that no such requirements apply
Restriction on the mode of transport
Necessary routing instructions
Emergency arrangements
Para. 554

28. Information and Configuration of the Transport Document
For each consignment (continued):
Category of the package (i.e., I-WHITE, etc.)
Transport index (applicable to II- and III-YELLOW only)
Criticality safety index and other information in case of fissile material
Identification mark of applicable competent authority approval certificate
special form radioactive material
LDRM
special arrangement
package design
shipment
¶ 546(h)-()

29. Information and Configuration of the Transport Document
For each consignment (continued):
“EXCLUSIVE USE SHIPMENT” when a consignment is required to be shipped as such
Total activity of the consignment as a multiple of A2
applicable for LSA-II, LSA-III, SCO-I and SCO-II
Para. 546(m)-(n)

30. Consignor’s Declaration is a Vital Component of the Transport Document
Made on the same transport document containing particulars of consignment
Signed and dated by consignor
Termed as follows:
“I hereby declare that the contents of this consignment are fully and accurately described above by the proper shipping name and are classified, packaged, marked and labelled/placarded, and are in all respects in proper condition for transport in accordance with the applicable international and national governmental regulations.”
Paras

31. Summary
In addition to the safety provided by the package design itself all packages of radioactive material are subject to a regime of control and communication
This regime consists mainly of appropriate marking and labeling of packages together with the transport document
The application of and compliance with all these applicable requirements on marking, labeling and transport documentation is part of the preparation of the package for transport and rest with the responsibility of the consignor 31

32. Information and Configuration of the Transport Document
For consignments of two or more packages in overpacks or freight containers:
Detailed statement of contents of each package contained
Detailed statement of each overpack or freight container, where appropriate
Para. 546(l)

33. Questions?
Thank you