Training in Quality Assurance for Radioactive Material Transportation Packaging

Abstract

The Department of Energy (DOE) has established guidelines for qualifications and training of the technical experts preparing and reviewing the safety analysis reports for packaging (SARP) and transportation of radioactive materials. One of the qualifications is working knowledge of, and familiarity with the quality assurance (QA) requirements in Subpart H of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 71. DOE is sponsoring a course on quality assurance for radioactive material transportation packaging. The objective of this paper is to describe the salient features of the course, the purpose of which is to provide QA training and practical experience that are required to develop and implement a QA plan or prepare the QA chapter of a SARP for the design, fabrication, assembly, testing, maintenance, repair, modification, and use of the packaging. The applicable QA requirements from DOE orders, federal regulations, and NRC regulatory guides will be highlighted, along with a graded approach to selected QA elements from Subpart H of 10 CFR Part 71. The paper will also briefly discuss ASME NQA-1 for Type B and fissile material packaging, current issues resulting from the different emphasis between a compliance-based QA program (in Subpart H, 10 CFR 71) for packaging and a performance-based QA program for DOE nuclear facilities (based on 10 CFR 830, “Nuclear Safety Management”), and the final rule changes in 10 CFR 71 that became effective on October 1, 2004.