Industry standards for RAM transport: big plus in global village

Abstract

The transport of radioactive materials is extremely sensitive to incidents, inter alia because it is so close to the public. Any incident will be hyped by the media because it is good copy and by opponents because transport is the lifeblood of the nuclear industry. The nuclear industry as a whole has much at stake if any operator cuts corners in safety and security in the name of economics or otherwise. It is essential that all players in transportation act responsibly, from the customers all the way down to the carriers and to any service providers. This paper advocates the extension of standardisation of most aspects of transport, translating regulations and good practices into recognised industry standards. In the course of time and on a step by step basis, this would cover all aspects of the activity, including the technical and the organisational sides, such as service provider qualification, stowage, packaging follow up, crisis management, etc. Standards would provide proper guidance and minimal requirements in order to further reduce the probability of incidents with unforeseeable consequences to the whole community. This could be an effort by a group of industrial or transport companies, within trade associations and/or standards organisations and/or modal bodies. This paper provides insights into areas that can be covered and to useful steps towards shipments that are even safer and more secure than today so that mankind can continue to enjoy the benefits of nuclear energy.

Keywords:

• Standards
• Good practice
• Best practice