Package Monitoring

["Roy A. Parker" <70472.711@compuserve.com>]

Tony,
 
Surface contamination monitoring is required for all labeled radioactive
material package unless the contents is a gas or special form.
 
Type A quantities are excluded from external radiation level monitoring,
although I strongly recommend it as good practice.
 
All packages are required to be monitored for contamination and external
radiation levels if there is indication of damage.
 
Roy A. Parker, Ph.D.
Radiation Physics Consultant to
Federal Express Corporation
E-Mail: 70472.711@compuserve.com
Tel: 504-924-1473
Fax: 504-924-4269
-----------------------------10 CFR 20.1906-----------------------------
             Procedures for receiving and opening packages.
 
 
20.1906 Procedures for receiving and opening packages.
 
(a) Each licensee who expects to receive a package containing quantities
of radioactive material in excess of a Type A quantity, as defined in
71.4 and appendix A to part 71 of this chapter, shall make arrangements
to receive --
 
(1) The package when the carrier offers it for delivery; or
 
(2) Notification of the arrival of the package at the carrier's terminal
and to take possession of the package expeditiously.
 
(b) Each licensee shall --
 
(1) Monitor the external surfaces of a labeled package for radioactive
contamination unless the package contains only radioactive material in
the form of a gas or in special form as defined in 10 CFR 71.4;
 
(2) Monitor the external surfaces of a labeled package for radiation
levels unless the package contains quantities of radioactive material
that are less than or equal to the Type A quantity, as defined in 71.4
and appendix A to part 71 of this chapter; and
 
(3) Monitor all packages known to contain radioactive material for
radioactive contamination and radiation levels if there is evidence of
degradation of package integrity, such as packages that are crushed,
wet, or damaged.
 
(c) The licensee shall perform the monitoring required by paragraph (b)
of this section as soon as practical after receipt of the package, but
not later than 3 hours after the package is received at the licensee's
facility if it is received during the licensee's normal working hours,
or not later than 3 hours from the beginning of the next working day if
it is received after working hours.
 
(d) The licensee shall immediately notify the final delivery carrier
and, by telephone and telegram, mailgram, or facsimile, the
Administrator of the appropriate NRC Regional Office listed in appendix
D to part 20 when --
 
(1) Removable radioactive surface contamination exceeds the limits of
71.87(i) of this chapter; or
 
(2) External radiation levels exceed the limits of 71.47 of this
chapter.
 
(e) Each licensee shall --
 
(1) Establish, maintain, and retain written procedures for safely
opening packages in which radioactive material is received; and
 
(2) Ensure that the procedures are followed and that due consideration
is given to special instructions for the type of package being opened.
 
(f) Licensees transferring special form sources in licensee-owned or
licensee-operated vehicles to and from a work site are exempt from the
contamination monitoring requirements of paragraph (b) of this section,
but are not exempt from the survey requirement in paragraph (b) of this
section for measuring radiation levels that is required to ensure that
the source is still properly lodged in its shield.
 
[56 FR 23401, May 21, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 39357, Aug. 31, 1992; 60
FR 20185, Apr. 25, 1995]
-------------( Forwarded computer archived letter follows )-------------
    23-Jul-98 14:08 CDT
Sb: Re: 7 A Package Testing
From: "Tony LaMastra" <alamastra@enter.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
 
Don:
 
I was not aware that the recipient was required to leak test a package
under DOT regs.   The NRC requires such testing in 20.1906, but excludes
Type A quantities or less.   As far as I know, generally licensed
devices should contain less than Type A (possible exception might be
cobalt 60 which has an A1 limit of 10.8 Ci - there could be a need for a
density or level gauge in this range).
 
Tony LaMastra
alamastra@enter.net
 
----------
> From: Mercado, Don <don.mercado@lmco.com>
> To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
> Subject: 7 A Package Testing
> Date: Thursday, July 23, 1998 12:49 PM
>
> Good morning,
>
> I'm interested in finding out how facilities that have no radioactive
> materials testing capabilities handle the 3 hour leak test requirement
> for DOT spec packages. A friend of mine working for a company that has
> no radioactive materials license will soon be receiving some generally
> licensed devices that are shipped in 7 A Type A packages. They have no
> measurement devices for package wipe analysis, and I don't know if
> they can contract that out.
>
> Any advice would be helpful, and I'll pass it along. Thank you in
> advance.
>
>
> Donald P. Mercado
> Radiation Safety Officer
> Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space
> O/47-20, B/101
> 1111 Lockheed Martin Way
> Sunnyvale, CA 94089
> Ph. (408) 742-0759
> Fax (408) 742-0611
> Email: Don.mercado@lmco.com