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RADIATION (SAFETY CONTROL) ACT - NOTES
RADIATION (SAFETY CONTROL) ACT
As in force at 15 September 1999
northern territory of australia
____________________
This reprint shows the Act as in force at 15 September 1999. Any amendments that may come into operation after that date are not included.
____________________
RADIATION (SAFETY CONTROL) act
NOTES
(1) The figures given in the Second and Third Column of this Schedule apply to continuous exposures for 24 hours a day. Where the exposure is incurred only during a work day of 8 hours the values in the Second Column may be multiplied by 3.
(2) In this Schedule the expression "dr" means daughter products of the radioactive substance preceding the expression.
____________________________
SCHEDULE 2
Sections 44 and 53
RADIATION WARNING LABELS AND NOTICES
1. Radiation warning labels shall be printed in black letters on a white or yellow background (according to the appropriate category).
2. A source container shall be labelled as follows:
"CAUTION
RADIATION GAUGE ENCLOSING RADIOACTIVE SOURCE"
and the appropriate radiation symbol shall be displayed.
3. A store for radioactive substance shall be labelled as follows:
"CAUTION
STORE FOR RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE"
and the appropriate radiation symbol shall be displayed.
Figure 1.
Basic trefoil symbol with proportions based on a central circle of radius 4 millimetres.
(See printed copy of Act)
Figure 2.
Category I - White label with lettering and trefoil black and category sign "I" denoted in red.
(See printed copy of Act)
Figure 3.
Category II - Yellow label with lettering and trefoil black and category sign "II" denoted in red.
(See printed copy of Act)
Figure 4.
Category III - Yellow label with lettering and trefoil black and category sign "III" denoted in red.
(See printed copy of Act)
Figure 5.
Placard for vehicles
The overall shape of the placard may be diamond or square as indicated by the broken lines. Minimum dimensions are given; when larger dimensions are used the relative proportions must be maintained.
A contrasting colour other than white may be used for the background.
The lower half of the placard may be used for other hazard identification codes, letters, &c., as may be required by any law in the Territory or by conventions relating to emergency incident information systems for all classifcations of dangerous goods.
(See printed copy of Act)
Figure 6.
Colours: Background yellow lettering and trefoil black.
(See printed copy of Act)
____________________________
SCHEDULE 3
Sections 3, 23, 24 and 28
PART I
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE DOSE ACCUMULATED IN ANY QUARTER OF A CALENDAR YEAR
First Column
Second Column
Third Column
Item No.
Organ or part of the body
Dose
1.
Gonads
3 rems
2.
Red bone marrow
3 rems
3.
Whole body radiation exposure
3 rems
4.
Skin
15 rems
5.
Bone
15 rems
6.
Thyroid
15 rems
7.
Hands and forearms
40 rems
8.
Feet and ankles
40 rems
9.
Any other single organ (including lens of the eye)
8 rems
10.
Abdomen of women of reproductive capacity
1.3 rems
PART II
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE DOSE ACCUMULATED IN ONE CALENDAR YEAR
First Column
Second Column
Third Column
Item No.
Organ or part of the body
Dose
1.
Gonads
5 rems
2.
Red bone marrow
5 rems
3.
Whole body radiation exposure
5 rems
4.
Skin
30 rems
5.
Bone
30 rems
6.
Thyroid
30 rems
7.
Hands and forearms
75 rems
8.
Feet and ankles
75 rems
9.
Any other single organ (including lens of the eye)
15 rems
____________________________
SCHEDULE 4
Sections 38 and 39
CLASSIFICATION OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES INTO GROUPS FOR TRANSPORT PURPOSES
First Column
Second Column
Nuclide
Group
Actinium 227
I
Actinium 228
II
Americium 241
I
Americium 243
I
Antimony 122
III
Antimony 124
III
Antimony 125
III
Argon 37
III
Argon 41
III
Arsenic 73
III
Arsenic 74
III
Arsenic 76
III
Arsenic 77
III
Astatine 211
III
Barium 131
III
Barium 140
III
Berkelium 249
II
Beryllium 7
III
Bismuth 206
III
Bismuth 207
III
Bismuth 210
III
Bismuth 212
III
Bromine 82
III
Cadmium 109
III
Cadmium 115m
III
Cadmium 115
III
Caesium 131
III
Caesium 134m
III
Caesium 134
III
Caesium 135
III
Caesium 136
III
Caesium 137
III
Calcium 45
III
Calcium 47
III
Californium 249
I
Californium 250
I
Californium 252
I
Carbon 14
III
Cerium 141
III
Cerium 143
III
Cerium 144
II
Chlorine 36
III
Chlorine 38
III
Chromium 51
III
Cobalt 57
III
Cobalt 58m
III
Cobalt 58
III
Cobalt 60
III
Copper 64
III
Curium 242
II
Curium 243
I
Curium 244
I
Curium 245
I
Curium 246
I
Dysprosium 165
III
Dysprosium 166
III
Erbium 169
III
Erbium 171
III
Europium 152 (9.2hr)
III
Europium 152 (13yrs)
III
Europium 154
II
Europium 155
III
Fluorine 18
III
Gadolinium 153
III
Gadolinium 159
III
Gallium 72
III
Germanium 71
III
Gold 196
III
Gold 198
III
Gold 199
III
Hafnium 181
III
Holmium 166
III
Hydrogen 3
III
Indium 113m
III
Indium 114m
III
Indium 115m
III
Indium 115
III
Iodine 126
III
Iodine 129
III
Iodine 131
III
Iodine 132
III
Iodine 133
III
Iodine 134
III
Iodine 135
III
Iridium 190
III
Iridium 192
III
Iridium 194
III
Iron 55
III
Iron 59
III
Krypton 85m
III
Krypton 85
III
Krypton 87
III
Lanthanum 140
III
Lead 203
III
Lead 210
II
Lead 212
III
Lutecium 177
III
Manganese 52
III
Manganese 54
III
Manganese 56
III
Mercury 197m
III
Mercury 197
III
Mercury 203
III
Molybdenum 99
III
Neodymium 144
III
Neodymium 147
III
Neodymium 149
III
Neptunium 237
I
Neptunium 239
III
Nickel 59
III
Nickel 63
III
Nickel 65
III
Niobium 93m
III
Niobium 95
III
Niobium 97
III
Osmium 185
III
Osmium 191m
III
Osmium 191
III
Osmium 193
III
Palladium 103
III
Palladium 109
III
Phosphorus 32
III
Platinum 191
III
Platinum 193
III
Platinum 193m
III
Platinum 197m
III
Platinum 197
III
Plutonium 238
I
Plutonium 239
I
Plutonium 240
I
Plutonium 241
II
Plutonium 242
I
Polonium 210
II
Potassium 42
III
Praseodymium 142
III
Praseodymium 143
III
Promethium 147
III
Promethium 149
III
Protactinium 230
II
Protactinium 231
I
Protactinium 233
III
Radium 223
II
Radium 224
II
Radium 226
I
Radium 228
II
Radon 222
III
Radon 221
II
Rhenium 183
III
Rhenium 186
III
Rhenium 187
III
Rhenium 188
III
Rhenium natural
III
Rhodium 103m
III
Rhodium 105
III
Rubidium 86
III
Rubidium 87
III
Rubidium natural
III
Ruthenium 97
III
Ruthenium 103
III
Ruthenium 105
III
Ruthenium 106
III
Samarium 147
III
Samarium 151
III
Samarium 153
III
Scandium 46
III
Scandium 48
III
Selenium 75
III
Silicon 31
III
Silver 105
III
Silver 110m
III
Silver 111
III
Sodium 22
III
Sodium 24
III
Strontium 85m
III
Strontium 85
III
Strontium 89
III
Strontium 90
II
Strontium 91
III
Strontium 92
III
Sulphur 35
III
Tantalum 182
III
Technetium 96m
III
Technetium 96
III
Technetium 97m
III
Technetium 97
III
Technetium 99m
III
Technetium 99
III
Tellurium 125m
III
Tellurium 127m
III
Tellurium 127
III
Tellurium 129m
III
Tellurium 129
III
Tellurium 131m
III
Tellurium 132
III
Terbium 160
III
Thallium 200
III
Thallium 201
III
Thallium 202
III
Thallium 204
III
Thorium 227
II
Thorium 228
I
Thorium 230
I
Thorium 231
III
Thorium 232
III
Thorium 234
III
Thorium natural
III
Thulium 170
III
Thulium 171
III
Tin 113
III
Tin 125
III
Tungsten 181
III
Tungsten 185
III
Tungsten 187
III
Uranium 230
II
Uranium 232
II
Uranium 233
II
Uranium 234
II
Uranium 235
III
Uranium 236
II
Uranium 238
III
Uranium natural
III
Vanadium 48
III
Xenon 131m
III
Xenon 133
III
Xenon 135
III
Ytterbium 175
III
Yttrium 90
III
Yttrium 91m
III
Yttrium 91
III
Yttrium 92
III
Yttrium 93
III
Zinc 65
III
Zinc 69m
III
Zinc 69
III
Zirconium 93
III
Zirconium 95
III
Zirconium 97
III
____________________________
SCHEDULE 5
Section 5
MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES EXEMPTED FROM THIS ACT
GROUP I :
Maximum allowed :
1 microcurie
Lead (210)
Radium (226)
Actinium (227)
Plutonium (230)
Americium (241)
Polonium (219)
Astatine (211)
Uranium (233)
GROUP II :
Maximum allowed:
10 microcuries
Scandium (46)
Cobalt (60)
Strontium (90)
Ruthenium (106)
Silver (105)
Tellurium (129)
Iodine (131)
Caesium (137)
Cerium (144)
Europium (154)
Tungsten (181)
Rhenium (183)
Iridium (192)
GROUP III:
Maximum allowed:
100 microcuries
Phosphorus (32)
Chlorine (36)
Calcium (45)
Scandium (48)
Vanadium (48)
Iron (59)
Zinc (65)
Gallium (72)
Arsenic (76)
Rubidium (86)
Strontium (89)
Yttrium (91)
Niobium (95)
Technetium (96)
Rhodium (105)
Silver (111)
Cadmium (109)
Tin (113)
Tellurium (127)
Barium (140)
Lanthanum (140)
Praesodymium (143)
Samarium (151)
Holmium (166)
Thulium (170)
Lutecium (177)
Tantalum (182)
Platinum (191)
Gold (198)
Thallium (200)
Thallium (204)
Lead (203)
Thorium (234)
GROUP IV :
Maximum allowed :
1000 microcuries
Hydrogen (3)
Beryllium (7)
Carbon (14)
Sodium (24)
Sulphur (35)
Potassium (42)
Chromium (51)
Manganese (56)
Iron (55)
Nickel (59)
Copper (64)
Germanium (71)
Molybdenum (99)
Palladium (103)
Promethium (147)
Iridium (190)
Gold (196)
Thallium (201)
Thallium (202)
NOTES
1. Figures immediately following a substance in this Schedule refer to the atomic mass numbers of the substance, thus Hydrogen (3) means Hydrogen of Atomic Mass 3.
2. Any radioactive substance not specified in this Schedule shall be taken to be in Group II.
____________________________
SCHEDULE 6
Sections 36 and 37
SPECIFICATIONS FOR PACKAGES
PART I
DESIGN
1. The smallest dimension for any outer container for a radioactive substance is 10 centimetres.
2. A package shall be so designed that it can be easily handled and be properly secured in or on the conveyance during transport.
3. A package of gross mass of 10 kilograms or more up to 50 kilograms shall be provided with means for manual handling.
4. A package of gross weight exceeding 50 kilograms shall be so designed as to enable safe handling by mechanical means.
5. A design does not comply with rules 3 and 4 unless any lifting attachment on the package, when used in the intended manner, does not impose unsafe stresses on the structure of the package.
6. The outer layer of the package shall be such that it does not collect and retain water.
7. The external surfaces of the package shall be designed so that they may be easily decontaminated.
8. The maximum value of radiation originating from a package shall not exceed 200 millirems per hour at any point on the surface of the package or 10 millirems per hour at a distance of 1 metre from the package.
9. A package shall incorporate a seal on the outside which is not readily breakable and which, while intact, indicates that the package has not been opened.
10. A package shall be so designed to withstand the effects of any acceleration, vibration and vibration resonance which may arise during normal transport without any deterioration in the effectiveness of the closing devices in the various receptacles or in the integrity of the package as a whole.
11. The nuts, bolts and other securing devices shall be so designed as to prevent them from becoming loose or being released unintentionally, even after repeated use.
12. A package shall include in its design a containment system securely closed by a positive fastening device which cannot be opened unintentionally or by pressure which may arise within the package.
13. A package of which the outer component of a containment system forms a separate unit shall be capable of being securely closed by a fastening device that is independent of any other part of the package.
14. The materials of a package and its components or structures shall be physically and chemically compatible with each other and with the contents of the package.
15. The design of any component of the containment system shall take into account any likely radiolytic decomposition of liquids and other vulnerable materials and the generation of gas by chemical reaction and radiolysis.
16. The containment system shall retain its radioactive contents under the reduction of ambient pressure to 0.25 kilograms per square centimetre.
17. All valves other than pressure relief valves through which the radioactive contents could otherwise escape shall be protected against unauthorized operation and shall be provided with an enclosure to retain any leakage from the valve.
18. A radiation shield which encloses a component of a package specified as part of the containment system shall be so designed as to prevent the unintentional release of the component from the shield. Where the radiation shield and the component within it forms a separate unit, the radiation shield shall be capable of being securely closed by a fastening device which is independent of any other package structure.
19. A tie-down attachment on a package shall be so designed that, under both normal and accident conditions, the forces in those attachments will not impair the ability of the package to meet the requirements of this Schedule.
PART II
LABELLING AND MARKING
20. A package and a container shall display at least 2 appropriate labels as prescribed in this Part of this Schedule according to the category into which the package or the container falls.
21.(1) A package or a container falls into Category I when the radiation level originating from the package or any package within the container at any time during normal transport does not exceed 0.5 millirem per hour at any location on the external surface of the package.
(2) The appropriate label for packages falling in Category I -
(a) shall have a white background;
(b) shall be in the form of Figure 2 in Schedule 2;
(c) shall display the colours indicated in that Schedule for the lettering and designs in that figure; and
(d) shall comply with the dimensions indicated in that Schedule for that figure.
22.(1) A package falls into Category II when the radiation level originating from the package, at any time during normal transport, exceeds 0.5 millirem per hour but does not exceed 50 millirems per hour at any location on the external surface of the package and the maximum radiation level does not exceed one millirem per hour at one metre from the external surface of the package.
(2) A container falls into Category II when it contains at least one package falling into Category II and the maximum level of radiation does not exceed one millirem per hour at a distance of one metre from the container.
(3) The appropriate label for packages and containers falling into Category II -
(a) shall have a yellow background;
(b) shall be in the form of Figure 3 in Schedule 2;
(c) shall display the colour indicated in that Schedule for the lettering and designs in that figure; and
(d) shall comply with the dimensions indicated in that Schedule for that figure.
23.(1) A package falls into Category III when the radiation level originating from the package at any time during normal transport exceeds 50 millirems per hour but does not exceed 200 millirems per hour at any location on the external surface of the package.
(2) A container falls into Category III -
(a) when at any time during normal transport the radiation level exceeds 1 millirem per hour at a distance of 1 metre from the external surface of the freight container; or
(b) when the radiation level exceeds 200 millirems per hour but does not exceed 1000 millirems per hour at any location on the external surface of the container and the transportation is carried out under the conditions specified in section 45.
(3) The appropriate label for Category III packages and containers -
(a) shall have a yellow background;
(b) shall be in the form of Figure 3 in Schedule 2;
(c) shall display the colour indicated in that Schedule for the lettering and designs in that figure; and
(d) shall comply with the dimensions indicated in that Schedule for that figure.
24. Labels shall be fixed on 2 opposite sides of the outside of the package or container.
25. Each label shall be completed before despatch by marking on it where indicated in the figures in the Schedule the information relating to the contents and the radioactivity of the contents.
26. A package of gross mass exceeding 50 kilograms shall have its gross mass plainly and durably marked outside of the package.
27.(1) A package that conforms to a type A package design shall be plainly and durably marked on the outside of the package "Type A".
(2) A package that conforms to a type B package design shall be plainly and durably marked "Type B" and shall have the outside of the outermost receptacle which is resistant to fire and water plainly marked (by embossing, stamping or by using some other means of producing a mark resistant to fire and water) with a symbol in the form of Figure 1 in Schedule 2.
28. A package containing a radioactive substance which has additional hazardous characteristics shall carry additional labels to indicate those characteristics.
____________________________
Notes
1. The Radiation (Safety Control) Act comprises the Radiation (Safety Control) Ordinance 1978 and amendments made by other legislation, the details of which are specified in the following table:
Act
Number and
year
Date of assent by Administrator
Date of commencement
Radiation (Safety Control) Ordinance 1978
No. 87, 1978
23 Aug 1978
1 Feb 1980
Transfer of Powers (Health) Act 1978
No. 122, 1978
21 Dec 1978
1 Jan 1979, but see s. 3
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 1979
No. 128, 1979
15 Oct 1979
15 Oct 1979
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 1982
No. 54, 1982
8 Oct 1982
8 Oct 1982
Criminal Law (Regulatory Offences) Act 1983
No. 68, 1983
28 Nov 1983
1 Jan 1984
Statute Law Revision Act 1997
No. 17, 1997
11 Apr 1997
s. 16: 10 Dec 1997; Remainder: 1 May 1997
Radiation (Safety Control) Amendment Act 1999
No. 22, 1999
19 May 1999
15 Sept 1999
____________________________
Table of Amendments
Section
Long title Amended by No. 54, 1982, s. 2
1. Amended by No. 54, 1982, s. 2
2. Amended by No. 54, 1982, s. 2
3. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 77; No. 54, 1982, s. 2; No. 17, 1997, s. 17; No. 22, 1999, s. 4
4. Amended by No. 54, 1982, s. 2
5. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 54, 1982, s. 2; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
6. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; substituted by No. 128, 1979, s. 28; amended by No. 17, 1997, s. 17
7. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 54, 1982, s. 2; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
8. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 54, 1982, s. 2; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
9. Amended by No. 54, 1982, s. 2
10. Amended by No. 54, 1982, s. 2
11. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
12. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 54, 1982, s. 2; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
14. Amended by No. 54, 1982, s. 2
15. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 54, 1982, s. 2; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
16. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
17. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 54, 1982, s. 2; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
19. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
20. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78
22. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 54, 1982, s. 2; No. 17, 1997, s. 17; No. 22, 1999, s. 5
24. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
25. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
26. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
27. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
28. Amended by No. 54, 1982, s. 2
30. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
31. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
32. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
33. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
34. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
Heading
Part V Substituted by No. 2, 1999, s. 6
35. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17; substituted by No. 2, 1999, s. 6
36. Amended by No. 54, 1982, s. 2; substituted by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
37. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17; substituted by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
38. Amended by No. 54, 1982, s. 2; repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
39. Repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
40. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17; repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
41. Repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
42. Repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
43. Repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
44. Repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
45. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 54, 1982, s. 2; No. 17, 1997, s. 17; repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
46. Repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
47. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17; repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
48. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17; repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
49. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 79; No. 17, 1997, s. 17; repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
50. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17; repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
51. Amended by No. 122, 1978, ss 78 and 80; No. 17, 1997, s. 17; repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
52. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17; repealed by No. 22, 1999, s. 6
53. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 17, 1997, s. 17
54. Amended by No. 54, 1982, s. 2; substituted by No. 22, 1999, s. 7
54A. Inserted by No. 68, 1983, s. 28; amended by No. 22, 1999, s. 8
55. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 78; No. 54, 1982, s. 2; No. 17, 1997, s. 17; substituted by No. 22, 1999, s. 9
55A. Inserted by No. 22, 1999, s. 9
55B. Inserted by No. 22, 1999, s. 9
55C. Inserted by No. 22, 1999, s. 9
55D. Inserted by No. 22, 1999, s. 9
56. Amended by No. 122, 1978, s. 81; No. 54, 1982, s. 2
____________________________
__________________