Optimizing Radioactive Material Transport: Transport Risk Management

AbstractThe safety of nuclear transport is essential to the AREVA Group as it is to the nuclear industry at large. Because transport or radioactive materials is performed in the public domain, it is sensitive to the public and its environment.In order to optimize transport safety of the AREVA Group the Logistics Business Unit of AREVA has setup, since 2006, a specific organization with a dedicated team, specific IT tools and processes: the “Transport Risk Management”.“Transport Risk Management” covers all nuclear materials and contaminated equipment representing a specific risk to the group. Approximately 10 000 radioactive shipments per year are covered by this process.This paper will introduce the approach the AREVA Group has taken to develop and implement “Transport Risk Management” with its Logistics BU. The approach is composed of three steps:–Identification of transport flows and risk analysis,–Mitigation proposals often involving the supply chain,–Decisions on priorities for implementation, anticipation and preparation (such as for emergency response), and control.The risk analysis and risk management is evaluated for each transportation flow: the occurrence or probability of an event during transport and the consequence of any potential event provides a Risk Level which is evaluated against the current Level of Management for the same transport flow. Control and continuous improvement are key to the process.Decision making for implementing the proposed mitigation plans and scheduling is based on the above risk analysis and evaluation. “Transport Risk Management” provides for improved safety, image as well as performance