SRP1(03)
2 October 2003
Operational note - for immediate use
'Transport issues'
A Society for Radiological Protection one day meeting at the British Library,
London, Thursday 16th October 2003
Following the events of recent years, the public's attitude towards
the transportation of nuclear material has changed. As it is a possible
terrorist target, there are concerns over the security and safety of radioactive
material being moved around the country. However, radioactive materials
have been transported safely and securely around the United Kingdom for
many years. In light of present day concerns, the focus of the Society
for Radiological Protection's one day meeting on the 16th October is 'Transport
Issues'.
Members of the Society for Radiological Protection have been at the
forefront of work covering development and application of legislation and
codes of practice for packaging, dispatch and carriage arrangements of
radioactive materials, such as nuclear waste, hospital radiopharmaceuticals
and nuclear fuel. All procedures are designed to safeguard transport workers
and the general public.
The meeting will start with an overview of the transport of radioactive
materials. The changes in industry and public perceptions of the transport
of radioactive waste will also be considered, with a discussion of pressure
group attitudes towards waste transport and the factors that have led to
large-scale protests in the UK and abroad. There will also be a brief update
on UK progress in implementing the UN Model Regulations on the security
of dangerous goods in transport, and a presentation about radiation protection
in UK ports. An outline of the proposed work programmes of the EC for the
next few years will be given - in particular, proposals for the harmonisation
of practices for transport of radioactive packages.
Accredited journalists are welcome to free registration to attend this
meeting. The Institute of Physics' Press Office is handling media arrangements
for this meeting. Please contact Michelle Cain at the Institute tel: +44
(0)20 7470 4869, fax: +44 (0)20 7470 4991, email: michelle.cain@iop.org
if you would like to attend, or if you would like a full programme. Further
information on specific papers being given at the meeting will be
distributed shortly.
Further information can be found on the Society for Radiological Protection's
Web page at www.srp-uk.org.
During the meeting itself please contact the Society's media representative,
Tessa Harris, who will be available between 8.00am and 5.00pm on mobile
0798 5779751.
The Society for Radiological Protection was founded in 1963, the Society
now has nearly 2000 members, including International members, and is the
leading Scientific Society in the UK for all who are professionally concerned
with safety aspects of uses of ionising and non-ionising radiation in education,
central and local government, industry, medicine and research. The Society
has the following objectives :-
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to promote and advance the science of radiological protection and allied
fields;
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to promote, advance and disseminate to the public advantage, knowledge
of radiological protection and allied fields;
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to encourage, support, promote and advance education and learning in radiological
protection and allied fields;
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to promote and encourage high scientific, educational, regulatory and professional
standards in radiological protection and allied fields.
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