Historical Perspective Of Criticality Safety In The United States

The stages through which criticality safety has progressed are reviewed and speculation about present signs of maturity is made. Early history, evolution, and accident experiences are described. It is concluded that criticality safety as a discipline is mature.

The term "patient safety" rose to popularity in the late nineties, as the medical community -- in particular, physicians working in nonmedical and administrative capacities -- sought to raise awareness of the tens of thousands of deaths in the US attributed to medical errors each year. But what was causing these medical errors? And what made these accidents to rise to epidemic levels, seemingly overnight? Still Not Safe is the story of the rise of the patient-safety movement -- and how an "epidemic" of medical errors was derived from a reality that didn't support such a characterization. Physician Robert Wears and organizational theorist Kathleen Sutcliffe trace the origins of patient safety to the emergence of market trends that challenged the place of doctors in the larger medical ecosystem: the rise in medical litigation and physicians' aversion to risk; institutional changes in the organization and control of healthcare; and a bureaucratic movement to "rationalize" medical practice -- to make a hospital run like a factory. If these social factors challenged the place of practitioners, then the patient-safety movement provided a means for readjustment. In spite of relatively constant rates of medical errors in the preceding decades, the "epidemic" was announced in 1999 with the publication of the Institute of Medicine report To Err Is Human; the reforms that followed came to be dominated by the very professions it set out to reform. Weaving together narratives from medicine, psychology, philosophy, and human performance, Still Not Safe offers a counterpoint to the presiding, doctor-centric narrative of contemporary American medicine. It is certain to raise difficult, important questions around the state of our healthcare system -- and provide an opening note for other challenging conversations.

Over 19,000 total pages ... Public Domain U.S. Government published manual: Numerous illustrations and matrices. Published in the 1990s and after 2000. TITLES and CONTENTS: ELECTRICAL SCIENCES - Contains the following manuals: Electrical Science, Vol 1 - Electrical Science, Vol 2 - Electrical Science, Vol 3 - Electrical Science, Vol 4 - Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, And Fluid Flow, Vol 1 - Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, And Fluid Flow, Vol 2 - Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, And Fluid Flow, Vol 3 - Instrumentation And Control, Vol 1 - Instrumentation And Control, Vol 2 Mathematics, Vol 1 - Mathematics, Vol 2 - Chemistry, Vol 1 - Chemistry, Vol 2 - Engineering Symbology, Prints, And Drawings, Vol 1 - Engineering Symbology, Prints, And Drawings, Vol 2 - Material Science, Vol 1 - Material Science, Vol 2 - Mechanical Science, Vol 1 - Mechanical Science, Vol 2 - Nuclear Physics And Reactor Theory, Vol 1 - Nuclear Physics And Reactor Theory, Vol 2. CLASSICAL PHYSICS - The Classical Physics Fundamentals includes information on the units used to measure physical properties; vectors, and how they are used to show the net effect of various forces; Newton's Laws of motion, and how to use these laws in force and motion applications; and the concepts of energy, work, and power, and how to measure and calculate the energy involved in various applications. * Scalar And Vector Quantities * Vector Identification * Vectors: Resultants And Components * Graphic Method Of Vector Addition * Component Addition Method * Analytical Method Of Vector Addition * Newton's Laws Of Motion * Momentum Principles * Force And Weight * Free-Body Diagrams * Force Equilibrium * Types Of Force * Energy And Work * Law Of Conservation Of Energy * Power – ELECTRICAL SCIENCE: The Electrical Science Fundamentals Handbook includes information on alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) theory, circuits, motors, and generators; AC power and reactive components; batteries; AC and DC voltage regulators; transformers; and electrical test instruments and measuring devices. * Atom And Its Forces * Electrical Terminology * Units Of Electrical Measurement * Methods Of Producing Voltage (Electricity) * Magnetism * Magnetic Circuits * Electrical Symbols * DC Sources * DC Circuit Terminology * Basic DC Circuit Calculations * Voltage Polarity And Current Direction * Kirchhoff's Laws * DC Circuit Analysis * DC Circuit Faults * Inductance * Capacitance * Battery Terminology * Battery Theory * Battery Operations * Types Of Batteries * Battery Hazards * DC Equipment Terminology * DC Equipment Construction * DC Generator Theory * DC Generator Construction * DC Motor Theory * Types Of DC Motors * DC Motor Operation * AC Generation * AC Generation Analysis * Inductance * Capacitance * Impedance * Resonance * Power Triangle * Three-Phase Circuits * AC Generator Components * AC Generator Theory * AC Generator Operation * Voltage Regulators * AC Motor Theory * AC Motor Types * Transformer Theory * Transformer Types * Meter Movements * Voltmeters * Ammeters * Ohm Meters * Wattmeters * Other Electrical Measuring Devices * Test Equipment * System Components And Protection Devices * Circuit Breakers * Motor Controllers * Wiring Schemes And Grounding THERMODYNAMICS, HEAT TRANSFER AND FLUID FUNDAMENTALS. The Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Flow Fundamentals Handbook includes information on thermodynamics and the properties of fluids; the three modes of heat transfer - conduction, convection, and radiation; and fluid flow, and the energy relationships in fluid systems. * Thermodynamic Properties * Temperature And Pressure Measurements * Energy, Work, And Heat * Thermodynamic Systems And Processes * Change Of Phase * Property Diagrams And Steam Tables * First Law Of Thermodynamics * Second Law Of Thermodynamics * Compression Processes * Heat Transfer Terminology * Conduction Heat Transfer * Convection Heat Transfer * Radiant Heat Transfer * Heat Exchangers * Boiling Heat Transfer * Heat Generation * Decay Heat * Continuity Equation * Laminar And Turbulent Flow * Bernoulli's Equation * Head Loss * Natural Circulation * Two-Phase Fluid Flow * Centrifugal Pumps INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL. The Instrumentation and Control Fundamentals Handbook includes information on temperature, pressure, flow, and level detection systems; position indication systems; process control systems; and radiation detection principles. * Resistance Temperature Detectors (Rtds) * Thermocouples * Functional Uses Of Temperature Detectors * Temperature Detection Circuitry * Pressure Detectors * Pressure Detector Functional Uses * Pressure Detection Circuitry * Level Detectors * Density Compensation * Level Detection Circuitry * Head Flow Meters * Other Flow Meters * Steam Flow Detection * Flow Circuitry * Synchro Equipment * Switches * Variable Output Devices * Position Indication Circuitry * Radiation Detection Terminology * Radiation Types * Gas-Filled Detector * Detector Voltage * Proportional Counter * Proportional Counter Circuitry * Ionization Chamber * Compensated Ion Chamber * Electroscope Ionization Chamber * Geiger-Müller Detector * Scintillation Counter * Gamma Spectroscopy * Miscellaneous Detectors * Circuitry And Circuit Elements * Source Range Nuclear Instrumentation * Intermediate Range Nuclear Instrumentation * Power Range Nuclear Instrumentation * Principles Of Control Systems * Control Loop Diagrams * Two Position Control Systems * Proportional Control Systems * Reset (Integral) Control Systems * Proportional Plus Reset Control Systems * Proportional Plus Rate Control Systems * Proportional-Integral-Derivative Control Systems * Controllers * Valve Actuators MATHEMATICS The Mathematics Fundamentals Handbook includes a review of introductory mathematics and the concepts and functional use of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. Word problems, equations, calculations, and practical exercises that require the use of each of the mathematical concepts are also presented. * Calculator Operations * Four Basic Arithmetic Operations * Averages * Fractions * Decimals * Signed Numbers * Significant Digits * Percentages * Exponents * Scientific Notation * Radicals * Algebraic Laws * Linear Equations * Quadratic Equations * Simultaneous Equations * Word Problems * Graphing * Slopes * Interpolation And Extrapolation * Basic Concepts Of Geometry * Shapes And Figures Of Plane Geometry * Solid Geometric Figures * Pythagorean Theorem * Trigonometric Functions * Radians * Statistics * Imaginary And Complex Numbers * Matrices And Determinants * Calculus CHEMISTRY The Chemistry Handbook includes information on the atomic structure of matter; chemical bonding; chemical equations; chemical interactions involved with corrosion processes; water chemistry control, including the principles of water treatment; the hazards of chemicals and gases, and basic gaseous diffusion processes. * Characteristics Of Atoms * The Periodic Table * Chemical Bonding * Chemical Equations * Acids, Bases, Salts, And Ph * Converters * Corrosion Theory * General Corrosion * Crud And Galvanic Corrosion * Specialized Corrosion * Effects Of Radiation On Water Chemistry (Synthesis) * Chemistry Parameters * Purpose Of Water Treatment * Water Treatment Processes * Dissolved Gases, Suspended Solids, And Ph Control * Water Purity * Corrosives (Acids And Alkalies) * Toxic Compound * Compressed Gases * Flammable And Combustible Liquids ENGINEERING SYMBIOLOGY. The Engineering Symbology, Prints, and Drawings Handbook includes information on engineering fluid drawings and prints; piping and instrument drawings; major symbols and conventions; electronic diagrams and schematics; logic circuits and diagrams; and fabrication, construction, and architectural drawings. * Introduction To Print Reading * Introduction To The Types Of Drawings, Views, And Perspectives * Engineering Fluids Diagrams And Prints * Reading Engineering P&Ids * P&Id Print Reading Example * Fluid Power P&Ids * Electrical Diagrams And Schematics * Electrical Wiring And Schematic Diagram Reading Examples * Electronic Diagrams And Schematics * Examples * Engineering Logic Diagrams * Truth Tables And Exercises * Engineering Fabrication, Construction, And Architectural Drawings * Engineering Fabrication, Construction, And Architectural Drawing, Examples MATERIAL SCIENCE. The Material Science Handbook includes information on the structure and properties of metals, stress mechanisms in metals, failure modes, and the characteristics of metals that are commonly used in DOE nuclear facilities. * Bonding * Common Lattice Types * Grain Structure And Boundary * Polymorphism * Alloys * Imperfections In Metals * Stress * Strain * Young's Modulus * Stress-Strain Relationship * Physical Properties * Working Of Metals * Corrosion * Hydrogen Embrittlement * Tritium/Material Compatibility * Thermal Stress * Pressurized Thermal Shock * Brittle Fracture Mechanism * Minimum Pressurization-Temperature Curves * Heatup And Cooldown Rate Limits * Properties Considered * When Selecting Materials * Fuel Materials * Cladding And Reflectors * Control Materials * Shielding Materials * Nuclear Reactor Core Problems * Plant Material Problems * Atomic Displacement Due To Irradiation * Thermal And Displacement Spikes * Due To Irradiation * Effect Due To Neutron Capture * Radiation Effects In Organic Compounds * Reactor Use Of Aluminum MECHANICAL SCIENCE. The Mechanical Science Handbook includes information on diesel engines, heat exchangers, pumps, valves, and miscellaneous mechanical components. * Diesel Engines * Fundamentals Of The Diesel Cycle * Diesel Engine Speed, Fuel Controls, And Protection * Types Of Heat Exchangers * Heat Exchanger Applications * Centrifugal Pumps * Centrifugal Pump Operation * Positive Displacement Pumps * Valve Functions And Basic Parts * Types Of Valves * Valve Actuators * Air Compressors * Hydraulics * Boilers * Cooling Towers * Demineralizers * Pressurizers * Steam Traps * Filters And Strainers NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND REACTOR THEORY. The Nuclear Physics and Reactor Theory Handbook includes information on atomic and nuclear physics; neutron characteristics; reactor theory and nuclear parameters; and the theory of reactor operation. * Atomic Nature Of Matter * Chart Of The Nuclides * Mass Defect And Binding Energy * Modes Of Radioactive Decay * Radioactivity * Neutron Interactions * Nuclear Fission * Energy Release From Fission * Interaction Of Radiation With Matter * Neutron Sources * Nuclear Cross Sections And Neutron Flux * Reaction Rates * Neutron Moderation * Prompt And Delayed Neutrons * Neutron Flux Spectrum * Neutron Life Cycle * Reactivity * Reactivity Coefficients * Neutron Poisons * Xenon * Samarium And Other Fission Product Poisons * Control Rods * Subcritical Multiplication * Reactor Kinetics * Reactor

Nuclear criticality safety is the prevention of nuclear chain reactions in fissile materials outside of reactors. This book presents the underlying principles of nuclear criticality safety theory along with descriptions of the principal methods currently used and their in-plant applications. Exercises are provided at the end of each chapter to increase understanding of the text.

The Fifth International Conference on Nuclear Criticality Safety (ICNC'95) was held September 17-22, 1995, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Organization and support for the conference was provided by the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), the University of New Mexico, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This conference traces its history back to 1981 when a group of select criticality safety specialists (mostly experimentalists) from France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States participated in a small conference at LANL in the United States. The motivation for the conference had been provided by Dr. J.C. Manaranche of France who had asked D. Smith and G.E. Whitesides of the United States if it would be possible for the French experimentalists to be able to visit the experimental facilities at LANL. This first conference was followed by a similar conference held in Dijon, France, in 1993. Then in 1987 the conference was hosted by the Japanese and opened to much wider participation by criticality safety specialists involved in experiments, methods development and analysis, and operations. With the 1987 conference in Japan and the fourth conference (ICNC'91) held in the United Kingdom, the interest and international participation by the criticality safety community has grown rapidly. With this background, the occasion of ICNC'95 was one of much expectation.

Proceedings of a Conference on Medical Response to Effects of Ionizing Radiation held at Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, UK, 28-30 June 1989.

On March 28, 1979, the worst accident in the history of commercial nuclear power in the United States occurred at Three Mile Island. For five days, the citizens of central Pennsylvania and the entire world, amid growing alarm, followed the efforts of authorities to prevent the crippled plant from spewing dangerous quantities of radiation into the environment. This book is the first comprehensive, moment-by-moment account of the causes, context, and consequences of the Three Mile Island crisis. Walker captures the high human drama surrounding the accident, sets it in the context of the heated debate over nuclear power in the seventies, and analyzes the social, technical, and political issues it raised. He also looks at the aftermath of the accident on the surrounding area, including studies of its long-term health effects on the population.--From publisher description.