IMPROVING RADIOLOGICAL SAFETY IN A NUCLEAR FACILITY USING STATISTICAL PROCESS CONTROL (SPC)

• Published in: Health physics (1958) Vol. 103; no. 2; pp. S112 - S113
• Main Author: Costigan, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-08-2012
• Subjects: USA, New Mexico, Los Alamos
• ISSN: 0017-9078

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has utilized Statistical Process Control (SPC) to monitor and improve radiation protection (RP) performance. SPC has been increasingly applied over time and has shown tremendous value by providing critical information to LANL managers. These techniques are simple to implement yet provide remarkable utility. The LANL RP organization developed and implemented SPC methods to analyze RP-related data, monitor performance, identify areas for improvement, and measure efficacy of improvement actions. Characteristics of leading (input) and lagging (output) indicators were defined as were the patterns of data indicating a significant change or trend. Use of control charts, objective identification of trends, and performance ratings are all easily created. SPC processes have been applied progressively to plutonium facility operations, to solve problems of particular RP relevance. A set of facility-specific critical worker behaviors and outcomes necessary for minimizing the likelihood of radiological contamination and airborne radioactivity were identified. Leading and lagging RP indicators were tracked over time. Identification of trends using SPC-based control charts and stop light charts identified areas where improvement actions were needed. Demonstrable improvement in performance in several categories related to contamination control and potential for airborne intakes were evident. This presentation provides a brief overview and history of use of SPC at LANL, discusses the methods and specific applications, and provides examples of improved safety. Lessons learned during the development and implementation of SPC are presented and discussed.