(a) Each rail shipment of low specific activity materials or surface contaminated objects as defined in § 173.403 of this subchapter must be loaded so as to avoid spillage and scattering of loose material. Loading restrictions are prescribed in § 173.427 of this subchapter.

(b) The number of packages of Class 7 (radioactive) materials that may be transported by rail car or stored at any single location is limited to a total transport index and a total criticality safety index (as defined in § 173.403 of this subchapter) of not more than 50 each. This provision does not apply to exclusive use shipments as described in §§ 173.403, 173.427, 173.441, and 173.457 of this subchapter.

(c) Each package of Class 7 (radioactive) material bearing RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-II or RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-III labels may not be placed closer than 0.9 m (3 feet) to an area (or dividing partition between areas) which may be continuously occupied by any passenger, rail employee, or shipment of one or more animals, nor closer than 4.5 m (15 feet) to any package containing undeveloped film (if so marked). If more than one package of Class 7 (radioactive) materials is present, the distance must be computed from the table below on the basis of the total transport index number (determined by adding together the transport index numbers on the labels of the individual packages) of packages in the rail car or storage area:

(d) Each shipment of fissile material packages must conform to requirements of §§ 173.457 and 173.459.

(e) [Reserved]

(f) A person shall not remain unnecessarily in, on or near a transport vehicle containing Class 7 (radioactive) materials.

(g) In the case of packages shipped under the exclusive use provisions of § 173.441(b) of this subchapter for packages with external radiation levels in excess of 2 mSv per hour (200 mrem per hour) at the package surface—

(1) The transport vehicle must meet the requirements for a closed transport vehicle (§ 173.403 of this subchapter);

(2) Each package must be secured so that its position within the transport vehicle remains fixed under conditions normally incident to transportation; and

(3) The radiation level may not exceed 0.02 mSv per hour (2 mrem per hour) in any normally occupied position in the transport vehicle or adjacent rail car.

[Amdt. 174-80, 60 FR 50331, Sept. 28, 1995, as amended by Amdt. 174-80, 61 FR 20753, May 8, 1996; 66 FR 45383, Aug. 28, 2001; 69 FR 3693, Jan. 26, 2004; 79 FR 40618, July 11, 2014]

(a) Each transport vehicle used for transporting Class 7 (radioactive) materials under exclusive use conditions (as defined in § 173.403 of this subchapter) in accordance with § 173.427(b)(4), § 173.427(c), or § 173.443(b), must be surveyed with appropriate radiation detection instruments after each use. A transport vehicle may not be returned to Class 7 (radioactive) materials exclusive use transport service, and then only for a subsequent exclusive use shipment utilizing the provisions of any of the paragraphs § 173.427(b)(4), § 173.427(c), or § 173.443(b), until the radiation dose rate at any accessible surface is 0.005 mSv per hour (0.5 mrem per hour) or less, and there is no significant non-fixed contamination, as specified in § 173.443(a) of this subchapter.

(b) This section does not apply to any transport vehicle used solely for transporting Class 7 (radioactive) materials if a survey of the interior surface shows that the radiation dose rate does not exceed 0.1 mSv per hour (10 mrem per hour) at the interior surface or 0.02 mSv per hour (2 mrem per hour) at 1 m (3.3 feet) from any interior surface. The transport vehicle must be stenciled with the words “FOR RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS USE ONLY” in lettering at least 7.6 cm (3 inches) high in a conspicuous place on both sides of the exterior of the transport vehicle, and it must be kept closed at all times other than during loading and unloading.

[Amdt. 174-80, 60 FR 50332, Sept. 28, 1995, as amended by 66 FR 45383, Aug. 28, 2001; 79 FR 40618, July 11, 2014]

(a) In addition to the incident reporting requirements of §§ 171.15 and 171.16 of this subchapter, the carrier shall also notify the offeror at the earliest practicable moment following any incident in which there has been breakage, spillage, or suspected radioactive contamination involving Class 7 (radioactive) materials shipments. Transport vehicles, buildings, areas, or equipment in which Class 7 (radioactive) materials have been spilled may not be again placed in service or routinely occupied until the radiation dose rate at every accessible surface is less than 0.005 mSv per hour (0.5 mrem per hour) and there is no significant removable radioactive surface contamination (see § 173.443 of this subchapter).

(b) The package or materials should be segregated as far as practicable from personnel contact. If radiological advice or assistance is needed, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) should also be notified. In case of obvious leakage, or if it appears likely that the inside container may have been damaged, care should be taken to avoid inhalation, ingestion, or contact with the Class 7 (radioactive) material. Any loose Class 7 (radioactive) materials should be left in a segregated area and held pending disposal instructions, from qualified persons.

[Amdt. 174-26, 41 FR 16092, Apr. 15, 1976, as amended by Amdt. 174-42, 48 FR 10245, Mar. 10, 1983; Amdt. 174-61, 51 FR 34987, Oct. 1, 1986; Amdt. 174-65, 53 FR 38274, Sept. 29, 1988; Amdt. 174-68, 55 FR 52684, Dec. 21, 1990; Amdt. 174-80, 60 FR 50332, Sept. 28, 1995]