QSA Global, Inc.
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Operations Manual
MAN-038 March 2019
Page 84 of 100
For a package, both the transport index (TI) and the surface radiation level conditions shall be
taken into account in determining which is the appropriate category of radioactive material label.
Where the TI satisfies the condition for one category but the surface radiation level satisfies the
condition for a different category, the package shall be assigned to the higher category of the two.
For this purpose, category White-I shall be regarded as the lowest category.
The TI is the maximum radiation level measured in mRem/hr at a distance of 1m from the external
surfaces of the package. When recording the TI, the dose rate units of mRem/hr are not listed, for
example a reading of 20 µSv/hr (2 mem/hr) would indicate a TI = 2.0. (Note that the TI is rounded to
the nearest tenth value.)
h.
Properly complete two shipping labels indicating the contents (e.g. Co-60), the activity of the source
(in Becquerels or multiples of Becquerels, e.g. GigaBecquerels (GBq)) and the transport index. The
transport index is used only on Yellow II and Yellow III labels and is defined as the maximum
radiation level in mRem/hr at 1m from the package surface (see Table 1). [49CFR172.403(g)]
i.
Assure that any old shipping labels have been removed from the package. Apply two properly
completed labels to two opposite sides of the package (excluding the bottom surface).
[49CFR172.403(f)]
j. For air shipments within the USA, the package must be labeled with ‘
Cargo aircraft only
’ labels.
Ensure that these labels do not cover any other package markings or labels.
k.
Mark the outside of the package with the proper shipping name and identification number (e.g.,
‘Radioactive Material, Type B(U) Package, UN2916’ for a Type B(U) shipment if not already marked.
Place the letters RQ (stands for Reportable Quantity) next to the proper shipping name when
shipping more than 10 Ci (370 GBq) of Co-60. [49CFR172.300]
l.
If the shipping package is inside a crate or other outer packaging, mark the outside package with ‘
RQ
’
(if applicable), the ‘
UN Identification Number
‘, followed by the ‘
proper shipping name’
. The word
‘OVERPACK’
must be marked on the outside package.
The required markings must be in letters a
minimum of ½ inch (13 mm) high. [49CFR172.310; 49CFR173.471; 49CFR173.25]
m.
Assure that the levels of removable radioactive contamination on the outside surface of the outer
package do not exceed 0.37Bq (10
-5
µCi) per cm
2
. [49CFR173.443]
n.
Mark the outside of the package with the gross weight since the package gross weight exceeds 110
lb. [49CFR172.310]
o.
Properly complete the shipping papers indicating:
1
Identification number, proper shipping name, hazard class (e.g. ‘UN 2916, Radioactive Material,
Type B(U) Package, Class 7’).
2
The letters RQ must appear before the identification number or after the hazard class when
shipping more than 10 Ci (370 GBq) of Co-60.
3
Name of the radionuclide (e.g., Co-60).
4
Physical and chemical form (i.e. Special Form).
5
Activity of the source in Becquerels or other appropriate multiples of Becquerels on the DOT label
and the shipping papers. Note: number of Ci x 37 = number of GigaBecquerels (GBq).
6
Category of label applied (i.e. Radioactive Yellow II).
7
Transport Index.
8
USNRC identification number (i.e. USA/9357/B(U)-96).
9
For export shipments, the IAEA identification number (i.e. USA/9357/B(U)-96).
For Canadian shipments, include the Canadian Endorsement Number (CDN/E238/-96).
