Eight Mile Road Hearsay - Case Study Example

Ethical Analysis of Eight Mile road hearsay Engineering professionalism and ethics embody a way of thinking rather than a collection of learning activities. It is through the articulation of strong fundamental engineering attitudes that one is motivated to offer the best in any engineering practice. Summary of Events: On January 1979, a nuclear power plant on Eight Mile road developed a problem within the thermo-hydraulics component. The plant in question terminated high pressure injection resulting from a misreading of nuclear indicators. The whole process was triggered by a small over-pressurization transient which caused a pressure relief valve to open releasing steam leading to an overall pressure reduction. Resulting from this, the valve refused to close though with indications that it had closed leading to continuous overheating of the reactor. On realizing this, the plant indicator terminated the high pressure injection due to potential system recovery as indicated by a high level within the pressurizer. But this could only be accepted if the main system was in a sub-cooled state as the system was in a two-phase state providing low capacity to terminate high pressure injection causing the pressurizer collapse within 20-30min period, prompting another re-initiation. During the 20-30mins pressurizer failure, the injector was losing significant fluid levels continuously thought the pressurizer indicated high level. Had the nuclear plant been operating at high power and high burn-up a significant fuel damage could have occurred similar to the Three Island Nuclear incident in 1979. (US NRC) Stakeholder analysis: Of nuclear power production scenarios, vary from agencies defined by legislation involved in the nuclear licensing procedures, individuals and organized bodies with legitimate interests in the outcome of the nuclear process. On regulatory platform, the outcome of this process in essential to the following agencies: Nuclear Regulator commission, Environmental protection agency, department of Human and health, department of energy, department of health, these agencies are a primary component in the nuclear industry as they ensure promotion of public health and safety of citizens, environmental protection, safeguarding nuclear facilities in the face of national security and related situations and ensuring conformity with state’s laws and regulations on nuclear production. Also the Nuclear Society ensures advancement and promotion of nuclear interests. The human, plants and animal life are a direct stakeholder in the process as they are the recipient of the nuclear process. Applicable Laws and Regulations: Nuclear energy production falls under the Nuclear Regulatory Commission established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974. Other pertinent legislations and regulatory provisions that affect a nuclear plant’s operation include: Atomic Energy Act of 1954, Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, Nuclear Waste policy Act of of 1982 as amended, The Low level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985, The National Environment Policy Act, the Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of 1978, The Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 and Energy Policy Act of 2005. (Nuclear Energy Institute) Duties: The ethical requirements demand safety planning and assessment of the nuclear plant so as to assist in identifying vulnerabilities, emergency response, maintenance and retrofit needs. The design should fall within the acceptable standards of the hazardous nature of the plant. Further, due recognition should be made on communication in supporting decision making process for implementation of section of adjustments made in the NRC’s TMI action plan. Peer advice: Management of risks and general safety in the nuclear environment requires an effective communication process within nuclear facility engineers, supervisors and management. In this regard, there should be consultation and coordination in the duties of subject matter specialists, risk and decision making expert working on isolating essential facts and explore their magnitudes, incorporating ideas from behavioral analysts in designing and evaluations of nuclear decisions. It is also important that executive management to treat communication as an essential component of the nuclear process, learning from past experiences and differentiating public information and issues of public health. Above all, every aspect of communication and decision making process must be documented. (Mathes) Possible courses of action: Arising from above, it became essential that the training capacity of the technical operators be improved so as to avoid future confusion of signals that were characterized by the incident. It is also important that the plant should be upgraded in terms of design and functionality. This will include a host of nuclear components including piping lines, pressure relief valves and electrical circuit connections, fire protection and automated shutdown of the plant in case of such failures. Ensure compliance with NRC’s procedures on facility’s safety and improved communication process of the human factors as they are indispensable to the operation of the facility. Evaluation of alternatives: Arising from the my roles and responsibilities in the engineering practice, I find these courses of action appropriate based on the following: first of all, there is need to upgrade and improve the general design of the plant with regards to piping components, fire protection and other components functionality. In essence this will improve the ability of the component parts to withstand changes, report accurate faulty situations and improve the overall efficiency of the entire unit. On the other hand, empowering the operators ability to distinguish rightful signs is essential in having a reliable workforce who can deal with emergency situations. These staff will also be capable of adapting to the dynamics of new work environments and provide reliable and accurate readings to the facility. Best ethical value: Above all, the above situation calls for an effective communication process that is effective and efficient in line with NRC’s action plans for effective and strong decision making process. Such a communication process should support an improvement and upgrading of the overall unit design as earlier mentioned with regards to improving the piping components, electric circuits for accurate signals, support feeder systems, reliability and stability of affected sections including relief valves and an automated response to the plant to shut down or operate at low burn out during breakdowns. The essential guiding ethical principle of the chosen action plan is to ensure integrity and honor by using my engineering knowledge and skill for the enhancement of the human welfare and the environment. (American Nuclear Society) Implementing solution: Due to perceived safety concerns that are often associated with the improper functioning of the pressurizer and injector, complete upgrading and improving of the support components identified in line with my responsibilities and job descriptions are necessary for this cause. A coordinated and effective communication strategy among all subject matter specialists will be crucial in the success of this phase. Management’s role in supporting and strengthening employee decision making structures will also be necessary. From time to time, overall inspection of the facility will be scheduled to ensure compliance with NRC’s regulations and regulatory procedures working within the provisions of the NRC’s TMI action plans. Works cited American Nuclear Society. Code of Ethics. 1 June 2012. 2012 October 2012 . Mathes, J.C. "Three Miles Island: The Management Communication Role." Engineering Management International 3 (1986): 261-268. Nuclear Energy Institute. "The Nuclear Regulatory Process." March 2007. NEI 07-06. 22 October 2012. US NRC. "Backgrounder on the Three Mile Island Accident ." 15 March 2011. US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 22 October 2012 . Read More