A Guide to the CDG Regs 2009

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 SI No.1348 [CDG09]. These regulations for the transport of radioactive packages came into force on 1st July 2009

Summary

The new regulations are so-called ‘reference regulations’ which do not contain specific detail of the requirements for transport, but instead refer to the international regulations for carriage by road, the ADR. The full text of the new regulations can be found on the Office of Public Sector Information Website.

Requirements relating to the carriage of class 7 goods are listed below together with the relevant references in ADR19.

Requirements for the carriage of
Class 7 goods

Complete with ADR19 references

Training of people other than drivers

Person involved in carriage of dangerous goods shall ensure he and his employees receive training which complies with 8.2.3

Radiation protection programme

Consisting of systematic arrangements aimed at providing adequate consideration of radiation protection measures.

1.7.2

Segregation during transit

Packages, overpacks, containers and tanks containing radioactive material and unpacked radioactive material shall be segregated during carriage from:

  • workers in regularly occupied working areas
  • members of the critical group of the public, in areas where the public has regular access
  • undeveloped photographic film and mailbags
  • other dangerous goods

7.5.11
CV33 (1.1)

Damaged or leaking packages

Packages damaged or leaking radioactive contents in excess of allowable limits for normal conditions of carriage may be removed to an acceptable interim location under supervision, but shall not be forwarded until repaired or reconditioned and decontaminated.

7.5.11

CV33 (1.1)

Radiological emergencies

The requirements of Schedule 5 shall be complied with.

Quality and compliance assurance

QA programmes shall be established and implemented for the design, manufacture, testing, documentation, use, maintenance and inspection of all special form radioactive material, low dispersible radioactive material and packages, and for carriage and in-transit storage operations to ensure compliance with the relevant provisions of ADR.

1.7.3

Provision Of Documents

A manufacturer, consignor, packer, loader, filler, and carrier shall provide the documentation, information, and facilities for inspection to a GB competent authority when requested to do so.

1.7.3 (a)&(b)

Safety Advisor

Appoint one or more safety advisors for the carriage of dangerous goods, responsible for helping to minimise the risks inherent in such activities, unless exempt under Reg 43(1) or (2).

1.8.3

Fire extinguishers

Every transport unit up to 3.5 tonnes shall be equipped with two fire extinguishers of 2kg each.

Exemption

Requirements of 8.1.4 do not apply if goods are UN2908, 2909, 2910, 2911, the number of packages does not exceed 10, the sum of the TI does not exceed 3, and no other dangerous goods are being carried. CDG09 Reg 11(3)

8.1.4

Training of vehicle crew

A carrier shall ensure that a driver has received training which complies with 8.2.1

8.2.1

Excepted Packages

Requirements and controls for carriage of excepted packages

ARD 17 1.7.1.5

Quantity of radioactivity

Maximum activity for an excepted package.

2.2.7.2.4.1.2

Surface dose rate limit

The radiation level at any point on the external surface of an excepted package shall not exceed
5 microSv/h.

2.2.7.2.4.1.2

Surface contamination limits

The non-fixed contamination on the external surfaces of any package shall be kept as low as practicable and shall not exceed:

  • 4 Bq/cm2 for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters; and
  • 0.4 Bq/cm2 for all other alpha emitters.

These limits are applicable when averaged over any area of 300 cm2 of any part of the surface.

4.1.9.1.2

Empty packages

Packages which had previously contained radioactive material may be carried as an excepted package provided they meet the requirements of 2.2.7.9.6(a)-(d).

2.2.7.2.4.1.5

UN Numbers

A UN number must be allocated to a consignment of dangerous goods for carriage.

3.2 Table A

Marking and labelling of packaging

  • UN number to be clearly and durably marked on the outside
    of each package (materials 2710; articles 2711)
  • All package markings shall be readily visible and legible and able to withstand open weather exposure without a substantial reduction in effectiveness.
  • Consignor or consignee to be clearly marked on outside of package
  • Each package of gross mass exceeding 50 kg shall have its permissible gross mass legibly and durably marked on the outside of the package

5.2.1.1
5.2.1.2
5.2.1.7.1
5.2.1.7.3

General design requirements for the construction, testing and approval of packages and material of class 7

Excepted packages must be designed:

  • so they can be safely carried in relation to mass, volume and shape
  • so external surfaces are free from any protruding features and can be easily decontaminated
  • to prevent collection and retention of water
  • to withstand effects of acceleration and vibration
  • such that the packaging and any components or structures shall be physically and chemically compatible with each other and with the radioactive content

6.4.4
6.4.2

General design requirements for the construction, testing and approval of packages and material of class 7

Excepted packages must be designed:

  • so they can be safely carried in relation to mass, volume and shape
  • so external surfaces are free from any protruding features and can be easily decontaminated
  • to prevent collection and retention of water
  • to withstand effects of acceleration and vibration
  • such that the packaging and any components or structures shall be physically and chemically compatible with each other and with the radioactive content

6.4.4
6.4.2

Type A Packages

Quantity of radioactivity

Maximum activity for a Type A package.

2.2.7.2.4.4

Surface dose rate limit

The radiation level at any point on the external surface of a package shall not exceed 2 mSv/h.

2.2.7.8.3

Surface contamination limits

The non-fixed contamination on the external surfaces of any package shall be kept as low as practicable and shall not exceed:

  • 4 Bq/cm2 for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters; and
  • 0.4 Bq/cm2 for all other alpha emitters.

These limits are applicable when averaged over any area of 300 cm2 of any part of the surface.

4.1.9.1.2

UN Numbers and proper shipping names

Consigner shall allocate a UN number, name and description of the goods.

3.2 Table A

Marking and labelling of packaging

  • Consignor or consignee to be clearly marked on outside of package
  • The UN number corresponding to the dangerous goods contained, preceded by the letters “UN” shall be clearly and durably marked on each package.
  • All package markings shall be readily visible and legible and able to withstand open weather exposure without a substantial reduction in effectiveness.
  • “Type A” legibly and durably marked on the outside of the package
  • Each package of gross mass exceeding 50 kg shall have its permissible gross mass legibly and durably marked on the outside of the package.

5.2.1.1
5.2.1.2
5.2.1.7.1
5.2.1.7.2
5.2.1.7.3
5.2.1.7.4

Vehicle placards

Placards conforming to model No. 7D as specified in 5.3.1.7.2 shall be fixed to the exterior of vehicles.

5.3.1

5.3.1.7.2

Orange plates

Transport units carrying dangerous goods shall display two rectangular orange-coloured plates conforming to 5.3.2.2.1.

5.3.2
5.3.2.2.1

Alternative to compliance with reg 53(4)

A notice complying with reg 23(3) may be displayed instead of complying with reg 53(4) if:

  • the transport unit is <3.5 tonnes;
  • the package contains only class 7 goods which are ‘fissile excepted or not fissile’;
  • the number of packages does not exceed 10; and
  • the sum of transport indexes does not exceed 3.

Consignment note

In addition to the appropriate UN number, the following information shall be inserted in the transport document for each consignment:

  • The name or symbol of each radionuclide or, for mixtures of radionuclides, an appropriate general description or a list of the most restrictive nuclides;
  • A description of the physical and chemical form of the material, or a notation that the material is special form radioactive material or low dispersible radioactive material.
  • The maximum activity of the radioactive contents during carriage expressed in Bq.
  • The category of the package, i.e. I-WHITE, II-YELLOW,
    III-YELLOW;
  • The transport index (categories II-YELLOW and III-YELLOW only)

5.4.1.1 5.4.1.2.5

Exemption from the requirements relating to fire- fighting equipment

Reg 63(5) does not apply if goods are UN2908, 2909, 2910 or 2911, the number of packages does not exceed 10, the sum of TI does not exceed 3 and no other dangerous goods are being carried.

Requirements for type A packages

Type A packages must be designed:

  • to meet the general requirements of excepted packages
  • so that the smallest overall external dimension is not <10cm
  • so the outside of the package incorporates a feature such as a seal, which is not readily breakable and which, while intact, will be evidence that it has not been opened.
  • to take into account temperatures ranging from-40°C to +70°C

6.4.7

Exemption from the requirements relating to fire- fighting equipment

Reg 63(5) does not apply if goods are UN2908, 2909, 2910 or 2911, the number of packages does not exceed 10, the sum of TI does not exceed 3 and no other dangerous goods are being carried

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