Packaging and transport

The packaging and transport safety and control area covers the safe packaging and transport of nuclear substances and radiation devices to and from the licensed facility. All nuclear substances are transported in packages that are selected based on the nature, form, and quantity or activity of the substance. There are general design requirements that apply to all package types to ensure that they can be handled safely and easily, secured properly, and are able to withstand routine transport conditions.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issues licences for certain type of shipments and certificates for certain types of packaging containing nuclear substances as stipulated in the Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015 (PTNSR 2015). These regulations are based on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, 2012 Edition.

In this category you will find research and technical information about packaging, transport and package design and maintenance.

Research and support program

• RSP-760.1 A Study for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission on Artificial Intelligence Applications and Implications for the Nuclear Industry
• RSP-660.1, Radioactive Material Transport Probabilistic Risk Assessment – Large Truck Accidents on Canadian Roadways
• RSP-0237, Use and location of vehicle portal radiation monitors in Canada
• RSP-0158, Doses to transport workers: Phase 2
• RSP-0142, Survey of Canadian portable gauge users

Technical papers and abstracts

• Technical and Scientific Support Organization Forum – Supporting the Development of Technical and Scientific Capacities in Member States
• Problems With Pigs – Radioisotope Handling Outside the Hot Cell

Health studies

• Nuclear and radiation glossary

Publications

• Guidelines for handling packages containing nuclear substances – INFO-0744 (PDF)
• Regulating the packaging and transport of nuclear substances in Canada
• Highly enriched uranium in Canada
• Transport FAQs of used nuclear fuel
• Frequently asked questions about transporting nuclear substances

Videos

• Packaging and transport of nuclear materials

Videos from a third-party source

• Operation Smash Hit – Testing nuclear flasks
• Fire exposure simulation test (German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing)
• Free-drop test #1 (German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing)
• Free-drop test #2 (German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing)
• Cask test – 1978