STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP)
PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS [(PERMISSIONS), PREPARATION, ACCOUNTANCY AND
ARRANGEMENTS] FOR THE MOVEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND IRRADIATED
SAMPLES
This SOP supplements University and Dalton Cumbria Facility Local Rules relating to the transport
of radioactive materials.
At DCF transport mainly relates to the consignment of ‘samples’ in the form of irradiated metal
tokens ranging from approximate dimensions 3x3x1 mm to 20x20x3 mm are transported as
EXEMPT, EXCEPTED or TYPE-A transport packages, with the correct package type being
determined from Table 1 (UN numbers), Table 2 (A values), Table 3 (Basic radionuclide values for
unknown radionuclides or mixtures) and Table 5 (limits for excepted packages) of the publication
‘IAEA Regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material (2012): SSR-6’.
Arrangements for the movement of uranium and thorium materials are described in detail in the
document ‘SOP uranium external’
Dalton Cumbria Facility, University of Manchester, Westlakes Science and Technology
Park, Moor Row, Cumbria CA24 3HA
Responsible persons
Director of Operations &
Sustainability (DCF RPO)
Kevin Warren
 +44 (0)1946 508851
Health & Safety Experimental
Officer and Overseeing RPS
Mark White
 +44 (0) 1946 508873
Emergency contact
In the event of an emergency contact the Health &
Safety Experimental Officer (above) or the general
office number +44 (0) 1946 50888
Author(s)
Ian Haslam (RSU)
Version
5
Issue date
October 2016
Review date
October 2019
Radiation Safety Unit (RSU), University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL
Responsible persons
Head of Radiation Safety Unit (RSU) Ian Haslam
and Radiation Protection Officer
 +44 (0)161 27 56983
Technical staff
Austin Taunton & Denise Langrish
 +44 (0161) 27 56980
Emergency contact
In the event of an emergency contact the Head of RSU
on 07873 979608 or the laboratory number
+44 (0161) 27 56980
Lost or stolen radioactive source
(or suspected loss or theft)
Contact the Environment Agency incident hotline on
0800 80 70 60 (24 hour service).
PRIOR PERMISSIONS
Consigning from Dalton Cumbria Facility
Client confirmation
Proof is required that the client is permitted to hold radioactive
materials.
(i) Typically, obtain a copy of the clients EPR 2010 permit; the signed
page of their open source permit and table relating to permit holdings,
although other proofs may be acceptable.
(ii) Obtain a letter of permission issued by the client’s radiation
protection officer or authorised person giving permission for DCF to
ship the order.
(iii) Where possible give an estimated shipping date.
Materials prepared for
the University of
Manchester central
campuses
(i) The University’s ‘North’ and ‘South’ campuses hold the relevant
EPR permits.
(ii) The consignor must check against the individual research group
permits to ensure that the group has been authorised to receive
materials.
Irradiation criteria
Details on irradiation requirements will be obtained elsewhere, but the
estimated activity and measured dose rate (possibly the gamma
spectrum) will be needed to determine the correct transport class to
use and also the packaging & consignment arrangements.
Consigning from the University ‘central campus’ (North and South Campuses)
Consignee confirmation
As for ‘client confirmation’ above.
In addition, the express permission of the RSU is also required to
consign radioactive materials from the University.
SOURCE ACCOUNTANCY AND TEMPORARY STORAGE
Accountancy arrangements for Dalton Cumbria Facility only
[Accountancy etc. arrangements in place elsewhere in the University will be described in ‘central
campus’ local rules and SOPs.]
Post-irradiation
After irradiation the sample(s) may be moved into short-term decay
storage to allow for the decay of short-lived radionuclides and, where
possible for longer-lived radionuclides to decay to safe handling
levels.
Where the irradiation beam is <5 MeV it is most likely that it will be
possible to transport the sample(s) as EXEMPT packages.
DCF local rules relate to decay storage and safe handling.
Accountancy
(i) Once a sample has been irradiated ensure that it is given a unique
i.d. number and that details of the principal radionuclides and activity
are entered onto the sample logging system.
The sample logging process includes details of the sample, count rate
(cps) and dose rates as measured over the interval between
irradiation and transport. A copy of this form is sent to the consignee
along and with a gamma spectrum plus ONR compliance
documentation if appropriate.
(ii) Where samples are transported as excepted packages the sample
or its immediate container must be labelled with a trefoil, the word
‘radioactive’, a unique i.d. number, the date of creation and the
principal radioactive components such as shown below.
TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS
Packaging & labelling
EXEMPT packages
(i) Place the sample into an ‘immediate’ container and seal into two
plastic bags.
(ii) The bagged samples and paperwork, including a Transport Note
(not a Consignment Note) should be sealed into an addressed jiffy
bag.
(iii) Further instructions are provided on the Transport Note.
EXCEPTED packages
(i) As pack as for exempt packages but include a label such as the
following on the second plastic bag. [For uranium and thorium
materials, i.e. UN2909 transport consignments, the ‘immediate’
container should be a sealed ‘sheath’ such as shown in Figure 1.] The
RPS or deputy will approve the container to be used.
(ii) Measure the dose rate and where necessary use shielding (e.g. a
lead pot) to reduce the dose rate to < 5 µSv/h.
(iii) In addition to the paperwork a Consignment Note and ONR
document will need to be included in the jiffy bag.
(iv) Consignment notes have a trefoil on the back page, and the note
folded so the trefoil is visible when the package is opened.
(v) The Jiffy bag or outer pack must be labelled with UN2910 or
UN2909 (natural uranium and thorium articles) as appropriate, but not
with any indication of the radioactive content. If the package is being
sent with additional shielding it will probably be necessary to use a
rigid transport box.
If transported for part / all of the journey by air a ‘notice to pilots’
sticker should be placed on the outside of the package (Figure 2).
(vi) Further instructions are provided on the Consignment Note.
TYPE-A packages
The transport requirements for Type-A packages are complex and will
need to be advised upon on a case-by-case basis. But the following
general requirements apply.
(i) Pack as described for exempt packages.
(ii) Place the package in a proprietary ‘Air Sea Containers Ltd’ Type-A
pack. It may also be necessary to use a lead pot to provide sufficient
shielding. This should slide into the Type-A pack.
(iii) Required additional documentation will include a gamma
spectrum, Type A Consignment Note and ONR form. The Transport
pack will need to be labelled with the correct IAEA transport codes
and the Transport Index marked on. The TI is based on the dose rate.
(iv) It may be necessary to provide additional shielding or make other
packaging arrangements: the Health, Safety & Experimental Officer
will determine this.
Consignment
A transport note or consignment note (& ONR transport form) must be
prepared for every shipment, one consignment note per package
shipped. The note should be signed on the day of shipment.
The package should be checked at the time of consignment to ensure
it is intact and properly labelled including the delivery address,
The package(s) must be handed over to the driver who should sign
the consignment note to confirm the instructions thereon are
understood.
These arrangements must be followed whomever the driver maybe
(courier or staff).
The client should be notified that the package has been shipped and
given an expected delivery time and date.
Transport
EXEMPT packages
(i) May be transported by car, public transport or post. If post is used
then recorded delivery or courier is recommended.
EXCEPTED packages
It is recommended that a courier is used such as
 TopSpeed www.topspeedcouriers.co.uk/
 Biocair www.pharmaceuticaltechnology.com/contractors/materials-handling/biocair-1/
 PDQ www.pdqspecialistcouriers.com/
If packages are transported by staff the following conditions apply:
(i) where possible use University fleet vehicles as these are covered
for the transport of Class 7 goods (RSU has a copy of the Certificate
of Insurance for inspection),
(ii) if using private hire or personal vehicles the vehicle insurance must
be checked to ensure that radioactive packages may be carried
(exclusions are usually in the small print), It is the driver’s
responsibility to check this,
(iii) where possible, packages must be secured in the boot of the
vehicle,
(iv) vehicles carrying radioactive packages must not be left
unattended, including in service station car parks, and drivers should
endeavour to ensure they have sufficient fuel for the journey,
(v) drivers carrying multiple packages must have had driver training
and carry a permit (issued by RSU).
TYPE-A packages
(i) Must only be transported by a courier such as the above.
On delivery
The consignee should notify the consignor that the package has been
safely received.
Driver training
EXCEPTED packages
(i) Basic radiation awareness training,
(ii) packaging, labels, consignment documentation, stowage,
(iii) what to do in the event of an emergency or accident,
(iv) not leaving the vehicle unattended including stops at service
stations and refuelling,
(v) security arrangements including completing journeys in one day or
making ‘approved’ overnight stops,
(vi) carrying proof of training and emergency procedures.
TYPE ‘A’ packages
Should not normally be carried unless by prior arrangement with RSU
or DCF managers.
(ii) As for excepted packages, and,
(iii) one wheel chock, two self-standing warning signs (triangles), eye
rinsing liquid (bottle of mineral water will suffice,
(iv) for each crew member a high-vis vest, torch, protective eye wear
and gloves.
(v) 2 of 4 kg dry powder fire extinguishers.
INDUSTRIAL packages (IP) or >2 TYPE A packages (per month)
This is effectively a ‘show stopper’ because drivers have to hold
‘vocational training certificates’ (ADR Licence) issued by a specialist
provider.
This category includes uranium and thorium compounds that cannot
be sent as UN2909, I.e. have to be sent as IP.
Figure 1
Screw cap tub (150 ml)
Figure 2
http://www.henleysmed.com/category/catalog/generalmedical-consumables/containers
Air transport label