Transportation of radioactive materials
The transport of radioactive material in South Australia is controlled by the Radiation Protection and Control (Transport of Radioactive Substances) Regulations 2003, under the Radiation Protection and Control Act 1982.
The regulations mainly draw upon the Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2014) published by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).
Who is responsible?
The Regulations divide the responsibility for the safe transport of radioactive material between:
- the carrier or person who owns the vehicle on which the package of material is to be carried
- the consignor or person who owns the radioactive material that is to be transported, and
- the driver (and store keeper), ie the employees of the carrier who drive the vehicles and in any other way handle the package.
The specific responsibilities of these groups are set out in the code of practice and the Regulations. There is also a general responsibility that no person may interfere with a package without the permission of the consignor or carrier.