RADIATION SAFETY OFFICE Transportation of Dangerous Goods Class

RADIATION SAFETY OFFICE Transportation of Dangerous Goods Class 7 - Receiving 1 TDG Class 7 Receiving Presentation Code 62 Some content with permission and thanks from the Dalhousie University Radiation Safety Office

INTRODUCTION The following presentation. . • Provides information on receiving Class 7 Radioactive Material • Acts as a refresher for staff working in areas where radioactive material is received • Serves as part of a radiation safety orientation program for new employees 2

KEY OBJECTIVES • Understand the shipping and delivery requirements for Class 7 Radioactive Packages. • Identify the requirements of an initial inspection before opening a radioactive package. • Use proper radiation safety practices when opening radioactive packages. • Understand the requirements for record keeping. • Identify the required regulatory reporting requirements when receiving radioactive packages. 3

RECEIVING CLASS 7 PACKAGES All photos are CDHA Photos 4

Receiving Requirements Shippers are required to package and provide the following for each Class 7 shipment. Correct TDG Package Type (UN and Excepted or Type A Package) Correct Labels radiation warning shipping address packing documents Approved Shipping Container CDHA Photo Identified Isotopes and Activity Limits 5

RECEIVING REQUIREMENTS Receivers are required to follow the regulations for all Class 7 shipments Section 21. (1) “Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations” No person, other than the consignor or the consignee of the package, shall open the package unless. . a) measures are taken to prevent persons from receiving doses higher than the radiation dose limits prescribed by the Radiation Protection Regulations b) the package is opened in the presence of an expert in radiation protection (someone authorized and trained to open the package) http: //nuclearsafety. gc. ca/eng/ Section 21. (1) “Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations” 6

RECEIVING REQUIREMENTS Specific receiving procedures are described in the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission INFO Document http: //nuclearsafety. gc. ca/eng/ “Identifying and Opening Radioactive Packages, INFO - 0426 rev 1” This should be posted where the package is opened 7

Receiving Requirements Procedures must be in place to ensure all Class 7 Packages are. . . Delivered to the department without delay Stored securely until received (opened) Received (opened) only by authorized personnel Properly secured and stored after receiving (opening) 8 Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Clip Art: CDHA MS Clip Art File

Opening a Package Follow the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission INFO Guide 0426 rev 1 “Identifying and Opening Radioactive Packages” 9

Opening a Package Verify Address Before signing for the package, verify if it is for your department. If not, then do not accept the package. CDHA Photo If you sign, and it is not for you, you are responsible for the package. This could cause problems if you sign for a package and the hospital does not have the isotope on their licence. Worth repeating 10

Opening a Package Deliver – Store Promptly You may take direct receipt from a courier during daytime deliveries. Procedures for after hours receipt of a shipment, by security, includes examination for any damage or leaks and signing for the package. Once signed for, the package is delivered to an after hours holding area. The department responsible for the package is to pick it up the next day. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission 11

Opening a Package Check for Damage Perform a visual inspection of the shipping container for any evidence of damage, leakage or tampering. If the package is damaged, tampered with or leaking, stop all receiving and implement emergency procedures. Also notify the Radiation Safety Officer. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission 12

Opening a Package Open Package in Designated Area Use a fume hood if the material is volatile such as iodine Open package behind appropriate shielding for a high level of activity Use a bench top in a designated radiation work area Photo: Dalhousie University with permission 13

Opening a Package Use Personal Protective Equipment Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the shipment received such as. . . buttoned lab coat Photo: Dalhousie University with permission personal whole body or ring badge disposable gloves CDHA Photo The ring is to be worn under the gloves to protect it from contamination. 14

Opening a Package Verify Package Dose Rate If a survey meter is available, monitor the dose rate at the surface and 1 metre around the package and note any discrepancies with the shipping documents. CDHA Photo Most nuclear substance labs only have contamination monitors available so external monitoring is not required. CDHA Photo 15

Opening a Package Verify Package Contents Once the package has been opened verify the nuclear substance, the quantity and other details with the information on the packing slip and with the purchase order. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission 16

Measuring Contamination The Wipe Test 17

Measuring Contamination Prepare, in advance, any material to conduct your wipe test such as filter paper, Q-tips or alcohol swabs; tongs; numbered counting vials; and water or alcohol if using dry swabs. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission 18

Measuring Contamination It is acceptable to use one wipe to check for contamination on the primary container (vial) If no contamination is present, you can log in the shipment, store the vial and dispose of the packaging Some practices use one wipe to test all package components and if it is contaminated repeat the procedure with separate wipes for each package component. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Still others wipe all package components with separate wipes 19

Measuring Contamination The minimum required by regulations is to wipe the exterior surface of the primary container and all six sides of the outer container. The CNSC has clarified that it is expected that the wipe includes all six sides of the container for contamination. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission * may need to hold container with tongs if a high beta or gamma emitter or required by department procedure The primary container is the main component that holds the nuclear substance. Generally for liquid vials, it is the glass vial or inside of the lead pot. 20

Measuring Contamination Other components may be wiped but generally these do not have to be done if the primary container or outside box is not contaminated. interior surface of the lead pot Photo: Dalhousie University with permission exterior surfaces of the lead pot Photo: Dalhousie University with permission 21

Measuring Contamination Photo: Dalhousie University with permission You should have a predetermined count rate to meet the wipe test criteria of 4 Bq/cm 2 Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Ensure that your liquid scintillation, gamma counter or contamination meter are on appropriate settings to count your wipes. 22

Measuring Contamination Example: You may know that 340, 000 cpm = 4 Bq/cm 2 for P-32 being counted on the well counter in Room 4023. This count may be 260, 000 cpm on a pancake meter in the lab for the same isotope. A clean or “control” wipe should also be used as a background count Photo: Dalhousie University with permission 23

Finish Receiving The Final Steps 24

Finish Receiving Waste Disposal Used vials containing the wipe test samples are placed in an appropriate radiation waste storage container to await disposal Photo: Dalhousie University with permission 25

Finish Receiving Discarding Package Material If your wipe tests on the package and packing materials are negative any reference to “radioactive” must be defaced or removed before disposing of packaging. Photo: Dalhousie University with permission 26

Finish Receiving Glove Removal With both hands gloved, peel one glove off from top to bottom and hold it in the gloved hand With the exposed hand, peel the second glove off from the inside, tucking the first glove inside the second Dispose of the gloves promptly Never touch the outside of the glove with bare skin and wash hands as soon as possible 27 All Photos: Dalhousie University with permission

RECORD KEEPING/INVENTORY LOG Monitor and remove gloves used to open the package before continuing with next steps 28

RECORD KEEPING/INVENTORY LOG Requirements of Receiving Record Date Packaged Received Name of Supplier Name of Shipper Shipping Document Number Inventory Entry Isotope Name, Activity, Chemical Form, Lot Number. Results of Receiving Inspection 29

RECORD KEEPING/INVENTORY LOG Log the shipment receipt on the inventory log in your records binder or electronic system Photo: Dalhousie University with permission Generally this includes the lot number, activity, volume, isotope, calibration date, receiving information including wipe test and signature 30

RECORD KEEPING/INVENTORY LOG Radioisotope Receiving Record (Sample) Name of Supplier (Consignor) Date Received (yy-mm-dd) Name of Shipper (Carrier) Received By Isotope Total Activity Total Volume (m. L) Waybill Number Supplier ID or Lot # Department Assigned ID or Lot # Results of Receiving Inspection Item Checked OK Not OK Department address correct Shipping label appropriate No evidence of damage Wipe Test results < 4 Bq/cm 2 Exposure Readings Appropriate for Label (ie. Category I, II III and Transport Index) White-I 5 Sv/hr (surface) 1 m) Yellow-II 5 -500 Sv/hr (surface) < 10 Sv/hr (at 1 m) Yellow-III 500 -2000 Sv/hr 10 -100 Sv/hr (at If any are not OK Report to Radiation Safety Officer Inventory Use or other information recorded here. 31

EMERGENCY/REPORTABLE EVENTS Notify the Radiation Safety Officer if any receiving requirements are not met such as: • incorrect address or delivery if the package was already received • incorrect labels or transport index • radiation levels in excess of labeling or >2 m. Sv/hr at surface • package damage, leaking or evidence of tampering • wipe test reading above licence criteria of 4 Bq/cm 2 • lost shipments 32

We all have responsibility for safety in the workplace and saying ‘’it is not my job’ doesn’t cut it when it comes to radiation safety. CDHA PHOTO When in doubt call your supervisor You will never be in trouble for asking questions or asking for help when it comes to radiation safety. The end. . . now you can do the quiz 33 CDHA PHOTO

References Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Citing Websites. Packaging and Transport Regulations. In Acts and Regulations. Retrieved September 1, 2011 from http: //nuclearsafety. gc. ca/eng/lawsregs/actsregulations/in dex. cfm Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. INFO Document 0426 rev 1 Identifying and Opening Radioactive Packages: Author. 34