Re: Training Videos

[tdc@ehssun.lbl.gov (Ted M. de Castro)]

>>In return, I can offer you my reaction to "The Invisible Partner", a 23 
>>minute
>>video made for the Alcoa Technical Center, which addresses the use of 
>>radiation
>>producing machines but particularly analytical x-ray equipment.  I've just 
>>pre-
>>viewed it and found it well-done.  Of course, it contains segments 
>>specific to
>>Alcoa and it contains a segment on biological effects which I'd rather not 
>>use,
>>but, if Alcoa will allow me to use excerpts from it, we'll buy it and 
>>consider
>>that it will be a very useful addition to our x-ray training.  It 
>>particularly
>>addresses problems that arise when equipment is serviced, repaired or 
>>modified
>>or when interlocks are defeated.  You can call the International Centre 
>>for
>>Diffraction Data at (610)325-9810 for information about obtaining it for 
>>pre-
>>view.

>>Sue Dupre
>>Health Physicist/Princeton University


Thanks Sue!!

I just previewed "The Invisible Partner" too - and I quite concur with your 
assessment!

I thought the first medical effects presentation was totally out of line for 
the energy range of the types of x-ray machines discussed.

I liked it because at LBL I have implimented a hardware enforced, enclosed 
beam ONLY policy for analytical x-ray machines.  In this regard the Alcoa 
program is similar - with two notable shortcomings - and therefore says the 
things to the viewers that I would most like to tell them.

Would that I could combine parts of it with parts of the "Double Edged 
Sword"!!!

Of course the ONLY presentation that would be PERFECT - would be one you did 
yourself (with an unlimited bufget!!).

Interestingly enough - three other reviewers within our group didn't like it 
at all.  I think they viewed it from a wrong perspective - ie. as a training 
film for THEM (all HPs) and NOT for new users.  Also they didn't have a good 
grasp of the ESSENTIALS of our x-ray program!  I think too that they just 
expected too much!

The two shortcomings??

Note that ALCOA does NOT seem to require redundant interlocks - we 
absolutely require redundant interlocks and furthermore they all set up in a 
progressive manner so that only one final switch actually activates the 
equipment (not closing ANY last interlock!!) and IT is momentary so that 
machines DO NOT reenergize after a power failure.

Second - they seem not to require an area monitor.  We have built an 
excellent unit originally designed at Argonne a decade or so ago and have 
improved on that.  In fact we have just recently gotten Health Physics 
Instruments to offer it commercially.  Before this there has NOT been a 
suitable commercial offering of an area monitor for analytical x-ray 
machines.

But - basically a good and useful video!