IRRSP - Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Personnel Transportation of Materials Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A radiographer prepares to transport a package containing a radiographic source. A survey of the package reveals a maximum radiation level of 35 mrem/hr at the surface and 0.7 mrem/hr at one meter. According to 49 CFR 172.403, what is the correct radioactive label for this package?
- RADIOACTIVE WHITE-I
- RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-II (Correct answer)
- RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-III
- SPECIAL PERMIT
Correct answer: RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-II
According to 49 CFR 172.403, the label is determined by the higher of two conditions: the surface dose rate and the Transport Index (TI), which is the dose rate at 1 meter. A RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-II label is required when the surface dose rate is greater than 0.5 mrem/hr but not more than 50 mrem/hr, AND the TI is not more than 1. Since 35 mrem/hr is within the surface limit and the TI of 0.7 is within the TI limit, YELLOW-II is the correct label.
Question 2: Which of the following is the defining characteristic of the Transport Index (TI) on a radioactive materials package?
- The total activity of the source in Curies (Ci).
- The maximum radiation level in mrem/hr at the package surface.
- The thickness of the shielding material in inches.
- The maximum radiation level in mrem/hr at one meter from the package surface. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The maximum radiation level in mrem/hr at one meter from the package surface.
The Transport Index (TI) is explicitly defined in 49 CFR 173.403 as the dimensionless number equivalent to the maximum radiation level in millirem per hour (mrem/hr) at 1 meter (3.3 ft) from the external surface of the package, rounded up to the next tenth.
Question 3: An industrial radiography exposure device, containing a high-activity sealed source, is considered what type of shipping package?
- Type A Package
- Excepted Package
- Type B Package (Correct answer)
- Industrial Package
Correct answer: Type B Package
Industrial radiography sources typically contain activities that exceed Type A quantity limits. Therefore, they must be transported in a Type B package. A Type B package is designed and tested to withstand severe accident conditions without a significant loss of shielding or containment, as required by regulations like 10 CFR Part 71 and 49 CFR 173.
Question 4: A radiographer is driving a company vehicle to a job site with a properly secured and labeled radiographic device. According to 49 CFR 177.817, where must the shipping papers be located during transportation?
- In a locked glove compartment.
- Taped securely to the outside of the transport package.
- Within the driver's immediate reach when restrained by a seatbelt. (Correct answer)
- In the back of the vehicle, next to the exposure device.
Correct answer: Within the driver's immediate reach when restrained by a seatbelt.
DOT regulations require that shipping papers for hazardous materials be readily accessible to authorities in an emergency. 49 CFR 177.817 specifies that when the driver is at the vehicle's controls, the papers must be within their immediate reach while restrained by the lap and shoulder belt, and either readily visible or in a holder mounted to the inside of the door.
Question 5: Under which of the following conditions is a vehicle required to be placarded with 'RADIOACTIVE' signs on all four sides?
- Anytime a Type A package is transported.
- When the vehicle is carrying a package with a RADIOACTIVE WHITE-I label.
- When the vehicle is carrying a package with a RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-III label. (Correct answer)
- If the total activity in the vehicle exceeds 10 Curies.
Correct answer: When the vehicle is carrying a package with a RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-III label.
According to 49 CFR 172.504, placarding of the transport vehicle is required for any shipment that includes a package bearing a RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-III label. Placarding is not required for packages with only WHITE-I or YELLOW-II labels.
Question 6: Which of the following pieces of information is NOT required on the shipping paper for a Class 7 (Radioactive) material shipment?
- The name of the radionuclide (e.g., Iridium-192).
- The date of the last source exchange. (Correct answer)
- The category of label applied to the package (e.g., YELLOW-II).
- The activity of the material in Becquerels (Bq) or Curies (Ci).
Correct answer: The date of the last source exchange.
According to 49 CFR 172.203(d), shipping papers for radioactive materials must include the proper shipping name, UN number, radionuclide, activity, category of label, and Transport Index. The date of the last source exchange is a licensee record but is not a required entry on the transportation shipping document.
IRRSP - Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Personnel Transportation of Materials Questions and Answers
A radiographer prepares to transport a package containing a radiographic source.
A survey of the package reveals a maximum radiation level of 35 mrem/hr at the surface and 0.7 mrem/hr at one meter.
According to 49 CFR 172.403, what is the correct radioactive label for this package?