TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS: INSPECTION, CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

Abstract

Transportation of radioactive materials is an essential activity that cuts across all practices in the nuclear industry, from different process such as; design, loading, maintenance and repair of packaging and preparation, loading, carriage including in-transit storage, unloading and receipt at final destination of RAMs. As a result of this, crucial inspection should be carried on the transportations of (RAMs) due to human safety. Knowing the status and working conditions of radioactive materials will mitigate the risks of radiation effects on both human and his environ. In order word, there is a need to have a reliable, effective and sustainable regulatory control programme that will guaranty safety and security of radioactive materials during stages of (RAMs) transportation. The transportation is carried out through aircraft, vehicle and ship. Nuclear Safety and Radiation protection (NSRP) Act 19 of 1995 provide the Legal Basis for Regulatory Inspection of facilities and activities by making provision for Inspectors to inspect practices and installation licensed.