The ASNR publishes its analysis of significant transport events over the 2021-2024 period: statistics, recommendations, and a reminder of the regulatory requirements to be met.

In order to prevent accidents involving dangerous goods (including radioactive materials), the transport of dangerous goods (TDG) is subject to international regulations incorporated into French law, with a few specific national provisions where applicable. The prevention of transport accidents relies on technical provisions (robustness of packaging, stowage, etc.) and organizational provisions (training of persons in charge of TDG, safety instructions, appointment of a safety advisor in companies loading, unloading, or transporting dangerous goods, etc.) required by regulations.

In France, around one million packages containing radioactive materials are transported each year. Accidents involving these materials are rare compared to the number of road accidents involving personal injury^[1]. However, regulations^[2] require that any event with actual or potential consequences for the protection of the interests mentioned in Article L. 593-1 of the Environmental Code (i.e., public safety, health, and welfare, or the protection of nature and the environment) be reported to the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR).

The reporting and analysis of these events aims to improve the safety of radioactive material transport by:

• preventing the recurrence of identical or similar events through the implementation of appropriate corrective and preventive measures;
• prevent a worsening situation from occurring by analyzing the potential consequences of events that could be precursors to more serious events;
• identify best practices to promote in order to improve transport safety.

The published report reveals that many of the events that occurred could have been avoided and highlights some regulatory requirements applicable to the transport of radioactive materials. The few notable events that occurred during the 2021-2024 period are presented, along with statistics on significant transport events reported during this period.

The ASNR shared the results of this analysis and its recommendations with stakeholders (carriers, consignors, (un)loaders, operators, Dangerous goods safety advisers (DGSAs), etc.), as well as companies providing training on the TDG. 

To download :

Significant transport events reported to the ASN over the 2021-2024 period
(PDF - 1,29 Mo)
_____________________________

[1] More than 50,000 each year, according to the French Road Safety Observatory (ONISR).
[2] Article L. 591-5 of the Environment Code - Paras 1.8.5 of ADR, RID and ADN - Article 7 of the French « TMD Order » - ICAO Technical Instructions (§ 7 of Part 1 and § 4.4 and 4.5 of Part 7).