Chapter 7. SAFETY IN TRANSIT

TM 55-315

CHAPTER 7

SAFETY IN TRANSIT

Section I. GENERAL

7-1. Purpose and Scope

This chapter describes procedures to ensure safety of personnel and equipment and to identify and cope with any

radiological emergency that may occur during transit. A radiological emergency is any unplanned event that could

adversely affect the safe movement of radioactive materials. A severe emergency could result from a collision, fire, or

explosion involving the cargo; or from theft, spillage, leakage, misplacement, or loss of control of the cargo.

Overexposure and contamination of personnel and property could be the end result.

7-2. Organization and Use

Section II of this chapter outlines the procedures to follow in accident or incident situations. Section III details procedures

to provide for technical escorts of shipments that require them.

7-3. Definition of Accident/Incident

A Department of the Army accident is defined in AR 385-40. For this manual, accidents and incidents involving radiation

and fissile materials other than weapons are defined below:

a. Accidents. Any physical damage to the containers, any overexposure of personnel, contamination of a person in

any detectable amount, or contamination level stated in paragraph 3-11.

b. Incidents. Unexpected events that are not accidents, as defined in a above, but that may increase in hazard

severity or, if the unsafe practice or condition is not corrected, may result in an accident. Incidents include errors

committed in handling operations, which may result in radiological exposure to personnel or material; malfunction of

transport equipment, which might result in danger to the lading if not corrected; or malfunction of the container or

associated equipment components, which degrades safety.

Section II. PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW IN ACCIDENT/INCIDENT SITUATIONS

7-4. General Guidance

The prime objective of emergency action is to protect personnel from the hazards of radiation and contamination. A

secondary objective should be to confine the contamination to the local area of the accident. Although no set of rules is

available to handle every conceivable incident, the proper adaptation of the more specific guidance furnished below will

minimize the danger to personnel and property. In case of a serious accident involving nuclear or radioactive materials,

the ranking person (guard, courier, escort, or transportation personnel) accompanying the shipment will take immediate

steps to clear the area and request assistance. If there is reason to believe that personnel may have been contaminated

and/or overexposed, efforts will be directed toward finding those persons so that any required decontamination and

medical assistance may be furnished. In the case of an accident/incident involving fissile material, the potential hazard

of criticality exists, particularly during cleanup. Therefore, the advice of a qualified criticality engineer should be obtained

about an accident/ incident involving fissile materials.

7-5 Actions in Emergencies Involving Collision Fire Explosion, Leakage, or Spills

Danger Personnel overexposure could result from increased dose rates. Contamination of property and equipment could

occur.

a. Immediate Actions.

(1) Minimize emergency, if possible. Extinguish fire with dry-chemical fire extinguisher.

(2) Use onsite assistance to:

(a) Establish Exclusion Area. Increase distance shown on DD Form 836 to keep personnel out of smoke,

leakage, spillage, or mists.

(b) Render First Aid. Inform medical personnel that injured personnel may be contaminated.

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