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8/10/2019 World Nuclear Transport Institute Good Practice

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WNTI Best Practice for Checking Shipping ContainersPrior to Loading Drums of UOC and Before Dispatch

GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE

W O R L D N U C L E A R T R A N S P O R T I N S T I T U T E

WNTI

Dedicated to the safe, efficient and reliable transport of radioactive materials


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WNTI Best Practices for checking Shipping Containers Priorto Loading Drums of UOC and Before Dispatch

Table of contents

Introduction 4Background introduction 4Consignor producers empty shipping container inspection checklist 5External Checks 6Internal Checks 6Overall suitability for purpose 7Consignor (producer senders) packed shipping container inspection checklist 7Suggested specification for shipping containers to be used for the transportation of UOC 8Combined Shipping Container Indemnity and DRum and Shipping Container Cleanliness Form 9Photographs 10


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This guidance document introduces and describes thechecking of shipping containers upon receipt at thecontainer yard and prior to loading at the Consignorproducers facility and subsequent dispatch to the Consigneereceivers facility. The document may be used to assistConsignee producers in the development of their individualoperating documentation and parties are encouraged toadopt and apply the information in whatever format theyfind most appropriate and applicable to their needs,requirements and individual circumstances.

It has been prepared for use by the World Nuclear TransportInstitute (WNTI) members and other stakeholders whotransport radioactive materials in shipping containers and isnot a work instruction nor should it be seen as suggestingsome form of prescriptive or particular format that shouldbe adopted by industry members.

Background introduction

The transportation of uranium ore concentrates (UOC) isa regular occurrence practiced daily utilising supply chainroutes traversing public roads, railways, international waters,shipping ports and container terminals.

UOC is packaged in steel drums that are securely stowedwithin twenty foot general purpose shipping containers;the workhorse of the modern day shipping industry.

Shipping containers are subjected to a high degree of wear,tear and damage and whilst leasing companies have anobligation to maintain their fleet of shipping containersto meet strict guidelines, there is also an obligation forindividual users to ensure that the equipment that theyare receiving and subsequently using is also fit for purpose.

This WNTI document provides guidelines covering thepractices that Consignors should adopt in order to fulfilltheir respective obligations to the overall security, safety andhealth of the communities and environments through whichtheir uranium ore concentrates are transported.

All Consignor producers have an obligation to themselvesand to their on-carriers to ensure that their product ispackaged correctly and stowed securely within shippingcontainers that comply with international standards asrequired by the IAEA, IMO, European and North Americancompetent authorities as well as meeting local domesticor other applicable regional regulations.

There is an additional requirement for each Consignorproducer to ensure and certify that both the drums and theshipping containers are clean and free of any radioactiveresidue or associated surface contamination.

Consignor producers actually require two separate checklists;the first addresses the requirements associated with ensuringthat the empty shipping containers are suitable and fit forpurpose. The second checklist is required to check that thepacked shipping container meets all necessary requirementsmaking it ready to be shipped.

There is a requirement for two separate types of Consignorproducer focused shipping container checklist.

1. Consignor producer empty shipping containerinspection checklists.

2. Consignor producer packed shipping containerinspection checklists.

Likewise all Consignee receivers have an interest in ensuringthat the cargo shipped to them by their Consignors arrivesin good condition together with an obligation to providefeedback to inform their Consignors of any situationwhereby the cargo may have been compromised duringtransport.

There is an additional regulatory requirement for eachConsignee receiver to ensure that when the de-stuffedshipping containers leave their premises they are free of anyradioactive residue or associated surface contamination inaccordance with IAEA free release requirements.

home contents introduction

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Introduction


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Consignor producers empty shippingcontainer inspection checklist

There is a requirement for all Consignors to comply with theConvention for Safe Containers (CSC) and to conform tothe shipping container packing requirements of the UnitedStates Customs and Border Protection, Customs-TradePartnership against Terrorism (C-TPAT).

Additionally there is a further requirement to comply withthe IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of RadioactiveMaterial (TS-R-1) so that any drums and or shippingcontainers used for the transportation of uranium oreconcentrates must have less than 4.0 Bq/cm2 of non-fixedcontamination.

The above requirements apply irrespective of whetherthe Consignor is utilising leased Shipper Owned (SOC) orShipper Supplied units provided by the Carrier (ShippingLine).

In most situations, mine sites are located long distancesaway from container yards. Good practice suggests theutilisation of a marine surveyor to undertake pre acceptanceinspections of shipping containers prior to transporting tothe mine site.

In order to undertake the inspections, the marine surveyorshould be provided with a copy of the Consignors shippingcontainer specification.

Since there is always the opportunity for damage to occurto the shipping container during handling and transportbetween the container yard and the mine site, a furtherinspection should be made both internally and externally toensure its structural integrity upon receipt of the shippingcontainer at the mine site.

Should defects be found at any stage during the aboveshipping container inspection process it is good practice todigitally photograph the defect in order to provide feedbackto the marine surveyor and or to the shipping containersupplier.

Consignors may wish to include additional checks as theydeem appropriate for their particular circumstances.

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home contents Consignor producers empty shipping container inspection checklist

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Inspection location Date / Time arrived

Shipping Container Number Date / Time of inspection

Shipping Container Safety Plate Number Nature of defect


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External Checks

Record shipping container number details, name ofperson undertaking the inspection and the date ofinspection.Record the Approved Continuous Examination Program(ACEP) and CSC approval details, shipping containertype, date of manufacture, maximum gross, stack andshipping container tare weight details for the shippingcontainer indemnity and cleanliness certification.Check that the ACEP identification label or the validityof the CSC container safety approval plate and re-inspection date has not expired.Check the undercarriage to ensure there is no damageto the under floor timber, the shipping container floorrails or the box Tyne channels etc. Extreme care mustbe taken to ensure worker safety when performing thesechecks. The employee should never stand underneaththe shipping container when performing these checks.Check that all exterior surfaces have minimal surfaceand no major structural rust. The shipping containershould been in good condition and have a visuallypleasing appearance. Even though the shippingcontainer is acceptable for use, the general appearanceof the shipping container has a significant impact onpublic perception.Undertake visual checks to ensure there is no obviousdamage, holes or cracking of the external wall, roofpaneling or corner joints. Minor cracks in joints canbe filled with silicon if required.Ensure that any bowing or warping of the roof or wallsurfaces fall within the stated Institute of InternationalContainer Lessors (IICL) limits.Check both doors to ensure they are not distorted andclose tightly; that all door fittings, locking mechanisms,door gaskets and seals are in serviceable order.Remove any previously applied placards, markingsand associated warning or advisory labels.Check the top and bottom mounted corner fittinglocking structures for serious damage.Always feel free to record and document any issuesirrespective of them being considered good or bad asphotographic evidence is irrefutable and in the modernage of the digital camera is a cheap form of insurance.

Internal Checks

Check that the shipping container has been cleanedfree of any previous cargo residue material. Check thatthere is no dirt or debris left on the floor or the doorof the shipping container.Undertake a survey of the shipping container prior topacking to ensure that no form of contamination ispresent.Check that all interior surfaces have minimal surfaceand no major structural rust.Undertake visual checks to ensure there is no obviousdamage, holes or cracking of the internal wall, roofpaneling or corner joints. Minor cracks in joints canbe filled with silicon if required.Ensure that any bowing or warping of roof or wallsurfaces fall within the stated IICL limits.Check that there is no damage or evidence of freshstaining to the shipping container flooring.Ensure that the top and bottom securing lugs are bothappropriate and fit for use.Undertake a water proof test** to ensure the integrityof the overall sealing capability of the shippingcontainer to effectively prevent the entry or dischargeof material or moisture.

**Water proof test: This is best done by entering insidethe shipping container and having someone close bothof the shipping container doors. Due to the extremes oftemperature experienced at many if not most mine sites,consideration as to the total time spent shut inside theshipping container must be given. Additionally cautionshould be taken as there is always the possibility thatresidual potent gases from the fumigation of previouscargoes could also be present. Should any indication ofdaylight be seen through the door seals or from elsewherewithin the shipping container it must be assumed that watercould gain entry and therefore the shipping container shouldbe deemed unfit for purpose.

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Overall suitability for purpose

Determine and sign off as to whether the shippingcontainer is fit for purpose.If suitable assign the unit as being ready to be packed.If unsuitable, do not pack the shipping container, signoff the report, reject the unit and follow internalprocesses to have the shipping container returned tothe shipping container supplier.File and store copies of acceptance or rejection reportin line with internal operating procedures.

Consignor (producer senders) packedshipping container inspection checklist

After the shipping container has been packed and well priorto preparing the shipping documentation, each packedshipping container should once again be inspected.

Good practice suggests that wherever possible a personindependent of those specifically involved in the packing of theshipping container conducts a final external and internal checkaddressing the requirements above applying to empty shippingcontainers also addressing the additional items below:

Confirm with those specifically involved in the packingof the shipping container that no incidents occurredduring packing of the shipping container that mayhave resulted in shipping container contamination.If a possible contamination incident did occur, confirmthat the shipping container was emptied, cleanedand resurveyed.If resurveyed, confirm that survey results weredocumented and acceptable.

Ensure that all drums are adequately secured.Check that locking seals on each drum lid are tightand that each drum has the applicable RadioactiveCategory label and Marine Pollutant labeling.Check that the drum details match the drum, batchand lot details against the shipping container packinglog sheet.Conduct wipe tests on the external surface of alldrums. When using a well established and reliabledrum cleaning station, a random selection of drumscan be wipe tested based on statically samplingtechniques.Ensure that there are no obvious signs of residual orextraneous packaging or securing material.Close and lock the shipping container doors applyingthe designated seal numbers as per the shippingcontainer log sheet.Clean and wash the external surfaces andundercarriage of the shipping container to removeresidual surface dust or soil that could contain orsupport any form of contamination.Clean, prepare and affix a UN2912. Cat III Yellow andMarine Pollutant labels to the four sidewalls of theshipping container.In order to eliminate the possibility of contaminatedsoil becoming caught up in the undercarriage of theshipping container, store the packed and inspectedshipping container on a clean area of bituminous orconcrete covered hardstand area ready awaitingtransport from the mine site.File and store copies of the final inspection reportin line with internal operating procedures.Always feel free to record and document any issuesirrespective of them being considered good or bad asphotographic evidence is irrefutable and in the modernage of the digital camera is a cheap form of insurance.

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Suggested specification for shippingcontainers to be used for thetransportation of UOC

Ideally all shipping containers used to transport UOCshould be rated to 30 (30.4) tonne load capacity.The CSC plate on each shipping container mustindicate a valid re-inspection date or ACEPidentification.All shipping containers must be ISO 1496-1 complianthaving an adequate number of top and bottom anchorpoints.Shipping containers are to be free of dents in walls,doors and roof.Shipping containers need to have under floor boxchanneling for fork lift tynes.Shipping containers are to be clean inside and outsidehaving minimal surface and no major structural rust.Shipping containers should be totally free of any holesor cracks that may allow the entry or discharge ofmaterial or moisture into or from within the shippingcontainer.Shipping containers must have adequate door sealsthat provide effective dust proof seals preventing theentry or discharge of material or moisture into or fromwithin the shipping container.At least one of the locking handles on each shippingcontainer door must have a hole capable of allowingthe placement of a shipping container bolt seal.

For further information refer to the Institute of InternationalContainer Lessors (IICL) Guide for Container EquipmentInspection 5th Edition (IICL-5)

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home contents combined shipping container indemnity and drum and shipping container cleanliness form

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Photographs1 Unloading a cask of vitrified high-level waste, Mutsu-Ogawara Port, Japan2 Road transport of spent fuel in Japan3 Cask for MOX fuel4 Sea transport of vitrified high-level waste5 Unloading operations, Barrow Port, UK6 Spent fuel cask7 Sea transport of vitrified high-level waste8 48 Hex cylinders9 30 Hex cylinders with overpacks10 Purpose-built vessel, Mutsu-Ogawara Port, Japan

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