Speaker
Description
The transport of radioactive materials includes the transportation of radioisotopes for industrial, medical, and research uses, and shipments of nuclear fuel cycle materials. In Cuba, CITMA Resolution 121/2000, "Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials," defines the requirements for establishing, implementing, evaluating, and constantly improving a management system that integrates technological and physical security in all operations and conditions associated with the transport of radioactive materials, including the design, manufacture, maintenance, and repair of packaging, as well as the preparation, shipment, loading, transportation (including storage in transit), unloading, and receipt at final destination of radioactive materials and packages
The Office of Environmental Regulation and Safety (ORSA), Cuba's nuclear regulatory authority, has paid special attention to verifying compliance with safety requirements during the transportation of radioactive materials and has established a consistent policy based, among other aspects, on the direct implementation of audits, inspections, and surveillance measures, in conjunction with police forces, in the transportation of the most active sources (categories I and II).
This paper presents the results of the technical criteria considered in establishing the aforementioned policy, describes the current situation, evaluates the results obtained in relation to the objectives pursued, and outlines the key aspects to be taken into account for the subsequent development of the adopted policy.
In addition, it describes the training and qualification activities for personnel related to transport, the responsibilities related to the interfaces between shippers, transporters, and stakeholders for compliance with regulatory requirements for the transport modes to be used, and mentions the current opportunities and challenges in the safe and secure transport of radioactive materials.
Reference is also made to the activities carried out by the Regulatory Authority that promote the development of a solid safety culture that enables the implementation and maintenance of an effective and efficient management system in radioactive materials transportation activities, as well as to the self-assessment of the processes this Authority applies to transportation-related activities.
