01 Mar 08
Originally posted by RedmikeIt was obvious right from the begginng that the materials were simple research / teaching compounds. It is H and S reactions such as this that are the real danger to H and S of workers these days. Totally over-the-top and unneccessary response.
"We assume the worst case scenario and work back from that,"
Seems to be the best way, but it does mean they can end up looking a bit daft, as in this case.
But I'd prefer that than assuming everything was ok.
01 Mar 08
Originally posted by znshoIn what way was it obvious?
It was obvious right from the begginng that the materials were simple research / teaching compounds. It is H and S reactions such as this that are the real danger to H and S of workers these days. Totally over-the-top and unneccessary response.
01 Mar 08
Originally posted by Redmike1) Old school building
In what way was it obvious?
2) Dusty old boxes labelled with yellow radioactive tape
3) Tucked away in a cupboard
4) Loads of such stuff in old school / hospital / reasearch labs throughout the world
5) Found by a cleaner who has limited knowledge of radioactive materials and simply panicked. AHHHhhhh.....!!!! radioactive !!!!!! danger, danger, danger!!! Panic!!!!
6) Any terroist in their right mind is not going to label their intentionally dangerous material RADIOACTIVE!!!!!
7) Seriously dangerous radioactive material is under strict control, created under special conditions, and will not find itself in an old school cupboard labelled 'radioactive'.
Correct response should have been: A box with bottles with yellow radioactive tape has been found in an old school building. Almost certainly old teaching material. Send in one person to check the labels and take measurement. Donate teaching material to a physics / chemistry department. End of story. Not even a story.
01 Mar 08
Originally posted by znshoI suspect that probably was the inforation they got at the start, but I'd always prefer they erred on the side of caution.
1) Old school building
2) Dusty old boxes labelled with yellow radioactive tape
3) Tucked away in a cupboard
4) Loads of such stuff in old school / hospital / reasearch labs throughout the world
5) Found by a cleaner who has limited knowledge of radioactive materials and simply panicked. AHHHhhhh.....!!!! radioactive !!!!!! danger, danger, danger! ...[text shortened]... Donate teaching material to a physics / chemistry department. End of story. Not even a story.
01 Mar 08
Originally posted by RedmikeThen get ready to evacuate schools / hospitals / universities on a regular basis. Good grief! Are you going to assume that every parked car might have a bomb in it?
I suspect that probably was the inforation they got at the start, but I'd always prefer they erred on the side of caution.
There is a tremendous amount of misinformation about radioactivity. If something is radioactive above background, it does not mean it presents a serious danger. Usually, it does not present a danger.
01 Mar 08
Originally posted by znshoI understand the science.
Then get ready to evacuate schools / hospitals / universities on a regular basis. Good grief! Are you going to assume that every parked car might have a bomb in it?
There is a tremendous amount of misinformation about radioactivity. If something is radioactive above background, it does not mean it presents a serious danger. Usually, it does not present a danger.
But we're in the standard 20-20 hindsight position. I'm happy that they err on the side of caution.