3 ms·
Are lockout/tagout controls not used in these systems? Industry has (mostly) solved this problem long ago.
by luma 6y ago
Are lockout/tagout controls not used in these systems? Industry has (mostly) solved this problem long ago.
- ansible 6y agoYep, it was through incidents like these that we developed Lockout Tagout: https://www.osha.gov/control-hazardous-energy https://www.osha.gov/control-hazardous-energy
- baybal2 6y agoYou cannot "switch off" a cobalt 60
- YeGoblynQueenne 6y agoThere was a key in the radiation chamber's control panel that turned the power to the chamber on and off. This key had to first be turned to the "off" position, then carried to the entrance of the maze to activate the panel that slid the section of floor over the pit towards the entrance, thus allowing er entrance. It seems this procedure took too long so the operator only turned the key to "off" in the main control panel, then crossed the pit at the maze entrance on his own. In my comment above I say they don't know exactly how he crossed this pit with the mechanical hatch, but I seem to have misremembered. The motor that moved the hatch was inside the pit and he could have stepped on it and jumped over to the far side. What the IAEA doesn't know is how he managed to cross a pressure plate after the pit that would have normally stored the source to its safe position.
- luma 6y agoBuild an idiot-proof system and the universe will build a better idiot I guess :(
- luma 6y agoI just read through the report and you haven’t exaggerated a bit. Somehow, an otherwise intelligent and well-educated engineer decided to go full mission impossible just to kill himself in the most miserable way possible. What a crazy story, thanks for sharing it and the sources!