Radioactive materials incident reporting

Being involved in, through action or omission, a hazardous material reportable incident, as described in 49 CFR 171.15 or 171.16, involving a highway route controlled quantity of certain radioactive materials (Class 7), any quantity of certain explosives (Class 1, Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3), or any quantity of certain poison inhalation hazard materials (Zone A or B). 

It is rare for radioactive material to be taken deliberately one of the most common loss mechanisms is loss as trash, as already discussed. If it is a reportable incident,the NRC mustbe informed immediately by telephone or by a written report filed within 30 days of the specifics as to what was lost and the circumstances concerning the disappearance ofthe material. They wUl wish to know, to the best of the licensee s knowledge, what happened to the material and the possible risks to individuals in unrestricted areas. The steps taken to recover the material will need to be in the report and probably most important, the steps the facility intends to take to... 

Medical and industrial radiographic sources have only minimal security. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reports that most incidents involving theft, loss, or overexposure in the United States are from such sources. This radioactive material is protected only by simple industrial security or, in many instances, no security other than locks. Theft of radioactive material is simple, and purchase on the open market is inexpensive. 

The main types of records and reports required by the federal government for safety and health include work-related incidents. Some also cover transportation incidents, and incidents arising from use of radioactive materials. 

For example, depending on severity, licensed operators of nuclear facilities and operations must report incidents to NRC. Reportable incidents are excessive exposures of workers to ionizing radiation, excessive release of radioactive material, loss of operation, and property damage. NRC requires immediate, 24-hour or 30-day reports, depending on the severity of the incident. 

Incident Reports During transportation a carrier must report to DOT any unintentional release of a hazardous material. When an incident involves death, serious injury, major property damage or certain releases of radioactive and etiologic agents, the carrier must make an immediate telephone report. DOT regulations detail these reporting procedures. 

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