Dangerous Goods Class Sub-Divisions
Radioactive materials (RAM) are those whose activity concentration and total activity in the consignment exceed values specified for each radionuclide, and consequently are deemed to pose a risk to humans. PGs are not used, but there is a special system of sub-classification of radioactive substances laid down by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its regulations covering the transport of radioactive materials. There are three categories of hazard warning labels for class 7 packages. These are shown below together with the relevant Transport Index (TI) (explained below), based on surface radiation levels. Class 7 Subdivisions – Radioactive Materials (RAM)
Each class can be further broken down into separate groups. This is done in two ways, one way for Class 7 materials, and another way for all other Classes:
Non-Class 7 Subdivisions – Non-Radioactive Material s Whilst the CLASS defines the type of danger which a substance presents, a second classification, called the PACKING GROUP (PG) defines just how dangerous it is. There are three Packing Groups: PG I is the most dangerous, PG II represents a moderate danger and PG III is the least dangerous. Packing Groups are always written in Roman numerals to differentiate them from the Class numbers. SLP 2.07.07 provides guidance on the process required to ensure that all outbound movements of non-class 7 dangerous goods (dangerous goods other than radioactive materials) from the Sellafield Site are classified by the Consignment Team. It is possible for a substance to appear in more than one Packing Group, depending on its concentration. For example, concentrated sulphuric acid is Class 8, PG II. A mild solution of the same acid, which might be marketed as a domestic drain cleaner, is still allocated to Class 8, but because of its lesser corrosivity could be PG III. Each class has its own guidance on what constitutes PG I, II and III. The Consignment Team will ensure that this judgement is made correctly.
The TI is only shown on the yellow labels:
Transport Category Label
Transport Category Label
Transport Category Label
Vehicle Placard
Label
I – White
II - Yellow
III – Yellow
0 (If TI is not greater than 0.05 it may be treated as zero.)
More than 0 but not more than 1
More than 1 but not more than 10
Transport Index
More than 0.5mSv/h but not more than 2mSv/h (If TI is more than 10 and the surface dose rate is between 2 and 10 mSv/h, the same label is used but package must be moved under “exclusive use”)
More than 5µSv/h but not more than 0.5mSv/h
Surface dose rate
Not more than 5µSv/h
An Introduction to Waste Management at Sellafield Ltd 8
An Introduction to Waste Management at Sellafield Ltd 9
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