Driver (CDL) - Loading and Unloading Division Class 7 Radioactive Material

Routing of Class 7 (radioactive materials) can be found in §397.101-103.

§177.842 covers HAZMAT packages regarding radioactive materials. There are two measurements used to determine the safety of a load of radioactive materials:

• Transport Index
• Exclusive Use

The Transport Index (TI) is placed on the label of most radioactive packages package to indicate to the carrier the degree of control that must be exercised during transportation. The TI is derived from a radiation reading conducted one meter from the package containing radioactive materials. The total TI is the sum of the TI on the labels of individual packages. For example, if one hazmat contains a TI of 1 and another HAZMAT package contains a TI of 2.5, then the total TI equals 3.5.

The number of radioactive material packages in a store location or transported in a motor vehicle must not exceed a total TI of 50, unless it is an exclusive use shipment. The TI is used to determine the minimum separation distances from the nearest undeveloped film, passengers, employees, and animals during normal transportation.

Total TI must not exceed 50 for a group of packages. Each group of packages must be handled and stowed no closer than 6 m (20 ft) to any other such group.

Radioactive packages bearing "RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-II" or "RADIOACTIVE YELLOW III" labels must be kept away from areas used by humans or animals or used to transport film, in accordance with the minimum separation distances prescribed by the table in §177.842.

The Criticality Safety Index (CSI) is used to determine the amount of fissile material in a transport vehicle and must not exceed 50 for a non-exclusive use vehicle or 100 for an exclusive use vehicle.

To learn more about CDL HAZMAT Transportation visit our DOT Driver (CDL) HAZMAT Transportation Online Training web page.