7 Essential Mistakes to Avoid in the Transport of Radioactive Materials

Damaged radioactive package stamped “REJECTED” sitting on forklift forks in a warehouse aisle.
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Mistakes Made During the Transport of Radioactive Materials

 The transport of radioactive materials is governed by a trio of international rulebooks:
  • ICAO Technical Instructions – the legal standard for every country that is part of the Chicago Convention.
  • IAEA Safety Standards – science‑based safety guidance from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
  • IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) – a user‑friendly reference book that airlines use to apply the ICAO rules day‑to‑day.
Even with clear guidance, shipments are delayed, rejected, or fined every week because of avoidable mistakes. Below are the seven slip‑ups we see most often at Logicom Hub—plus simple ways to avoid them. 

1. Misclassifying Radioactive Materials

 Many shippers assume their product is “not really radioactive” and ship it as general cargo. To decide if something is regulated, ICAO points to Section 10.3.2 of the DGR. In plain language, this section asks two questions:
  1. How much activity is in each gram of material?
  2. How much total activity is in the whole package?
Both answers are compared with a look‑up chart called Table 10.3.A. If either number is higher than the limit in that chart, the item is Class 7 and all radioactive rules apply. We walk through this check step‑by‑step in our course so first‑time shippers can get it right. 

2. Selecting the Wrong Package Type

 Radioactive packages come in graduated safety levels:
  • Excepted or Industrial – very small or naturally low‑risk items.
  • Type A – medium activity, will not cause severe injury if the package leaks.
  • Type B(U) or B(M) – high activity or fissile materials where leakage could be serious.
Type A boxes are often mis‑used for high‑energy sources because they are cheaper and lighter, but regulators will reject them at acceptance. Our training shows how to use Table 10.3.A (activity limits) together with Table 10.4.A (proper shipping names) to pick thecorrect package first time. 

3. Missing or Improper Labels and Markings

 Labels are the first thing a ground handler sees. Two identical Class 7 labels must be placed on opposite sides, showing:
  • UN number and proper shipping name
  • Radiation trefoil symbol
  • Transport Index (TI) – a single number that tells handlers how far to keep the package from people and other cargo.
Common errors include using only one label, forgetting the TI, or hiding the markings in an overpack.

4. Shipper’s Declaration Errors

 The Shipper’s Declaration is a legal affidavit. Leaving out the special‑form certificate number, quoting the wrong activity, or copying the UN number from an old template will all stop your shipment. We provide an annotated declaration and a fill‑in PDF that mirrors ICAO wording exactly.

5. Neglecting Transport Index (TI) Calculations

 The TI is calculated by measuring the radiation level one metre from the surface and then converting the units:
  • mSv/h → multiply by 100
  • µSv/h → divide by 10
Round to one decimal place. The result decides the hazard label colour (White I, Yellow II, Yellow III) and storage distance. Mis‑calculation is one of the top reasons for re‑labelling at the airport.

6. Overlooking Handling & Crew Communication

 A completed Notification to Captain (NOTOC) is mandatory under ICAO. It lists the number of packages, their TI, category, and where they are loaded. Missing or vague NOTOCs are a Flight Operations audit finding. Our course walks through a correct NOTOC and typical aircraft stowage diagrams.

7. Outdated Training Certifications

 ICAO requires refresher training every 24 months. Even an otherwise perfect shipment may be stopped if the acceptance agent cannot see a current certificate for the person who signed the paperwork. Logicom Hub issues digitally‑verifiable certificates and sends renewal reminders before they expire.

Pro Tip: Keep Trusted References Bookmarked

Note: Each link opens the official page of the agency mentioned above. 

Take the Smarter, Safer Route

 To avoid delays, fines, and compliance headaches, start with the right foundation. We recommend beginning with our Radioactive Awareness 2025  and then advancing to the Radioactive Materials by Air Course for air‑specific rules and exams. ➔ Enroll Now and Get Certified 

📞 Need help for your team? Contact Us

Mistakes Made During the Transport of Radioactive Materials

 The transport of radioactive materials is governed by a trio of international rulebooks:
  • ICAO Technical Instructions – the legal standard for every country that is part of the Chicago Convention.
  • IAEA Safety Standards – science‑based safety guidance from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
  • IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) – a user‑friendly reference book that airlines use to apply the ICAO rules day‑to‑day.
Even with clear guidance, shipments are delayed, rejected, or fined every week because of avoidable mistakes. Below are the seven slip‑ups we see most often at Logicom Hub—plus simple ways to avoid them. 

1. Misclassifying Radioactive Materials

 Many shippers assume their product is “not really radioactive” and ship it as general cargo. To decide if something is regulated, ICAO points to Section 10.3.2 of the DGR. In plain language, this section asks two questions:
  1. How much activity is in each gram of material?
  2. How much total activity is in the whole package?
Both answers are compared with a look‑up chart called Table 10.3.A. If either number is higher than the limit in that chart, the item is Class 7 and all radioactive rules apply. We walk through this check step‑by‑step in our course so first‑time shippers can get it right. 

2. Selecting the Wrong Package Type

 Radioactive packages come in graduated safety levels:
  • Excepted or Industrial – very small or naturally low‑risk items.
  • Type A – medium activity, will not cause severe injury if the package leaks.
  • Type B(U) or B(M) – high activity or fissile materials where leakage could be serious.
Type A boxes are often mis‑used for high‑energy sources because they are cheaper and lighter, but regulators will reject them at acceptance. Our training shows how to use Table 10.3.A (activity limits) together with Table 10.4.A (proper shipping names) to pick thecorrect package first time. 

3. Missing or Improper Labels and Markings

 Labels are the first thing a ground handler sees. Two identical Class 7 labels must be placed on opposite sides, showing:
  • UN number and proper shipping name
  • Radiation trefoil symbol
  • Transport Index (TI) – a single number that tells handlers how far to keep the package from people and other cargo.
Common errors include using only one label, forgetting the TI, or hiding the markings in an overpack.

4. Shipper’s Declaration Errors

 The Shipper’s Declaration is a legal affidavit. Leaving out the special‑form certificate number, quoting the wrong activity, or copying the UN number from an old template will all stop your shipment. We provide an annotated declaration and a fill‑in PDF that mirrors ICAO wording exactly.

5. Neglecting Transport Index (TI) Calculations

 The TI is calculated by measuring the radiation level one metre from the surface and then converting the units:
  • mSv/h → multiply by 100
  • µSv/h → divide by 10
Round to one decimal place. The result decides the hazard label colour (White I, Yellow II, Yellow III) and storage distance. Mis‑calculation is one of the top reasons for re‑labelling at the airport.

6. Overlooking Handling & Crew Communication

 A completed Notification to Captain (NOTOC) is mandatory under ICAO. It lists the number of packages, their TI, category, and where they are loaded. Missing or vague NOTOCs are a Flight Operations audit finding. Our course walks through a correct NOTOC and typical aircraft stowage diagrams.

7. Outdated Training Certifications

 ICAO requires refresher training every 24 months. Even an otherwise perfect shipment may be stopped if the acceptance agent cannot see a current certificate for the person who signed the paperwork. Logicom Hub issues digitally‑verifiable certificates and sends renewal reminders before they expire.

Pro Tip: Keep Trusted References Bookmarked

Note: Each link opens the official page of the agency mentioned above. 

Take the Smarter, Safer Route

 To avoid delays, fines, and compliance headaches, start with the right foundation. We recommend beginning with our Radioactive Awareness 2025  and then advancing to the Radioactive Materials by Air Course for air‑specific rules and exams. ➔ Enroll Now and Get Certified 

📞 Need help for your team? Contact Us