An Overview of OPG’s Transportation Program

Abstract

OPG has been safely transporting Low & Intermediate Level Waste for over 40 years. A strong management system exists which supports the transportation program and helps ensure a robust safety record is maintained. The objective of this paper is to review the main components of OPG’s Radioactive Materials Transportation (RMT) program; the history of the program; as well as highlights and benefits.The transportation program is thorough and rigorous and begins with the design of robust transportation packages. OPG owns and operates a fleet of RMT packages that includes Type Bpackages. This type of package requires approvals by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) in accordance with Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations (PTNSR). These approvals are in the form of certificates and, in certain cases, Licences to Transport.A governance structure exists to ensure both programmatic and procedural compliance for all aspects of transportation and shipping – starting from waste preparation at the stations, to shipping, through to delivery and receipt at the Western Waste Management Facility. OPG also has a rigorous driver training program and this will be discussed in the paper. A thorough and systematic maintenance program is in place for each transportation package.Another important component of OPG’s transportation program is its Transportation Emergency Response Plan which ensures timely and appropriate response is in place for responding to emergencies involving radioactive material transportation. Coupled with the Emergency Response Plan is a public outreach program to maintain public trust and confidence in the transportation program.Examples of implementation of the program will be provided and a review of the recently commissioned Multi-Purpose Transportation Package will be included.