Safety of the Transport of Radioactive Material

Safety of the transport of radioactive and fissile material

  • Nuclear safety means the state and capability of package and transport staff to prevent uncontrolled self-sustaining fission chain reaction or release of radioactive substances into the environment
  • Radiation protection means the state and capability of package and transport staff to prevent uncontrolled release of ionising radiation and unaccepteble exposure of natural persons
  • Physical protection of cat. I. to III. materials means the capability of Police of the Czech Republic and transport staff to prevent a theft and unauthorised activities involving transported nuclear materials
  • Response to a radiation extraordinary event (REE) means the capability of transport staff to identify REE,  manage situations related to its creation with the aim to regain control over the transport and to eliminate or mitigate the consequences of REE 

Conditions for safe transport

  • Transport of radioactive or fissile materials identified by Decree No. 379/2016 Coll. shall be licensed by the SÚJB in compliance with Article 9, Section 4 of Act No. 263/2016 Coll. (Atomic Act)
  • Packages for the transport of radioactive materials shall be tested and, if there are intended for the transport of radioactive or fissile materials indentified by implementing regulation, the type shall be approved by the SÚJB in compliance with Article 137, Section 1 letter a) and Section 5 of Act No. 263/2016 Coll.
  • For each licensed transport Emergency Regulations shall be elaborated and approved by the SÚJB
  • The knowledge of transport instructions and emergency regulations of transport staff is a subject of regular inspection of inspectors of nuclear safety conducted during the transport
  • Following Article 159, Section 1 and 2 of Act No. 263/2016 Coll. for security purposes the transported radioactive material shall be classified in categories I, II or III or shall be de-classified in accordance with Decree No. 361/2016 Coll., on security of nuclear installation and nuclear material. Details on security conditions for transport of nuclear material classified in categories I, II or III is then identified by Article 163, Section 1 and 2 of Act No. 263/2016 Coll. and by Articles 23 to 27 of Decree No. 361/2016 Coll.