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Safety System (safety + system)
Selected AbstractsUsing measured performance as a process safety leading indicatorPROCESS SAFETY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2009Kenneth H. Harrington Abstract Periodic demands on layers of protection (i.e., prealarms, safety instrumented functions, relief devices, emergency response systems, etc.) are precursors to more serious incidents. The failure of one or more layers of protection is always part of an accident sequence. When they occur documenting these demands and the associated consequences in a way to facilitate analysis, provides a means to measure process safety management performance. Although process safety metrics are still in their adolescence, this article reviews experiences of development and implementation of a "Challenges to Safety Systems" process safety performance indicator. This article includes a discussion of automating significant portions of the data collection process based on the technical work documented by the CCPS PERD (Process Equipment Reliability Database) initiative. The article also recommends various metrics that can be calculated and describes how the initial foundation developed to support improved process safety can be leveraged to achieve other benefits, such as design improvements and improvements in the reliability, operation, and maintenance of the facility. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2009 [source] Viral safety of a pasteurized, monoclonal antibody-purified factor VIII concentrate in previously untreated haemophilia A patientsHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 2 2001C. S. Philipp The efficacy and viral safety of a pasteurized, immunoaffinity-purified procoagulant factor VIII protein (FVIII:C; Monoclate-P) was studied in two multicentre, prospective, open-label trials in 30 previously untreated patients, 18 with severe (< 1% FVIII:C activity), and 12 with moderate (1% to 5% FVIII:C activity) haemophilia A. Clinical assessments, performed at screening and regularly thereafter for 6 to > 24 months (maximum 34 months), showed that none of 24 assessable patients acquired illnesses consistent with monitored transfusion-transmissible diseases. No patients acquired hepatitis B surface antigen, or antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen, hepatitis C, or human immunodeficiency virus. Likewise, no patients acquired treatment-related hepatitis A antibodies or sustained elevations of alanine aminotransferase levels. The safety profile for Monoclate-P is brought about by a multi-step safety system that incorporates viral inactivation (through a combination of immunoaffinity chromatography and pasteurization) plus donor screening, plasma testing, and quality assurance. The inhibitor development rate (13% low titre, 10% high titre) was similar to that reported in the literature for other FVIII concentrates (24% to 52%). The most frequently reported adverse events were related to typical infant and childhood diseases. Monoclate-P was effective in all patients treated according to protocol, except in two, who developed inhibitors. [source] Management of metadata and automation for mail-in measurements with the APS 11-BM high-throughput, high-resolution synchrotron powder diffractometerJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 6 2009Brian H. Toby A high-resolution and high-throughput synchrotron powder diffractometer has been automated for use with samples that are mailed in by Advanced Photon Source users. Implementation of a relational database with web interfaces for both outside users and beamline staff, which is integrated into the facility-wide proposal and safety system, allows all aspects of beamline management to be integrated. This system permits users to request kits for mounting samples, to provide sample safety information, to obtain their collected data and to provide usage information upon project completion in a quick and simple manner. Beamline staff use a separate interface to note receipt of samples, schedule and collect diffraction data, post-process and quality-check data, and dispose of samples. The design of the software and database are discussed in detail. [source] Two years of Visual Odometry on the Mars Exploration RoversJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 3 2007Mark Maimone NASA's two Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) have successfully demonstrated a robotic Visual Odometry capability on another world for the first time. This provides each rover with accurate knowledge of its position, allowing it to autonomously detect and compensate for any unforeseen slip encountered during a drive. It has enabled the rovers to drive safely and more effectively in highly sloped and sandy terrains and has resulted in increased mission science return by reducing the number of days required to drive into interesting areas. The MER Visual Odometry system comprises onboard software for comparing stereo pairs taken by the pointable mast-mounted 45 deg FOV Navigation cameras (NAVCAMs). The system computes an update to the 6 degree of freedom rover pose (x, y, z, roll, pitch, yaw) by tracking the motion of autonomously selected terrain features between two pairs of 256×256 stereo images. It has demonstrated good performance with high rates of successful convergence (97% on Spirit, 95% on Opportunity), successfully detected slip ratios as high as 125%, and measured changes as small as 2 mm, even while driving on slopes as high as 31 deg. Visual Odometry was used over 14% of the first 10.7 km driven by both rovers. During the first 2 years of operations, Visual Odometry evolved from an "extra credit" capability into a critical vehicle safety system. In this paper we describe our Visual Odometry algorithm, discuss several driving strategies that rely on it (including Slip Checks, Keep-out Zones, and Wheel Dragging), and summarize its results from the first 2 years of operations on Mars. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Virtobot,a multi-functional robotic system for 3D surface scanning and automatic post mortem biopsyTHE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ROBOTICS AND COMPUTER ASSISTED SURGERY, Issue 1 2010Lars Christian Ebert Abstract Background The Virtopsy project, a multi-disciplinary project that involves forensic science, diagnostic imaging, computer science, automation technology, telematics and biomechanics, aims to develop new techniques to improve the outcome of forensic investigations. This paper presents a new approach in the field of minimally invasive virtual autopsy for a versatile robotic system that is able to perform three-dimensional (3D) surface scans as well as post mortem image-guided soft tissue biopsies. Methods The system consists of an industrial six-axis robot with additional extensions (i.e. a linear axis to increase working space, a tool-changing system and a dedicated safety system), a multi-slice CT scanner with equipment for angiography, a digital photogrammetry and 3D optical surface-scanning system, a 3D tracking system, and a biopsy end effector for automatic needle placement. A wax phantom was developed for biopsy accuracy tests. Results Surface scanning times were significantly reduced (scanning times cut in half, calibration three times faster). The biopsy module worked with an accuracy of 3.2 mm. Discussion Using the Virtobot, the surface-scanning procedure could be standardized and accelerated. The biopsy module is accurate enough for use in biopsies in a forensic setting. Conclusion The Virtobot can be utilized for several independent tasks in the field of forensic medicine, and is sufficiently versatile to be adapted to different tasks in the future. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evaluation of the implementation of new traceability and food safety requirements in the pig industry in eastern AustraliaAUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 10 2009M Hernández-Jover Objectives To evaluate the implementation and barriers to adoption, among pig producers, of a newly introduced traceability and food safety system in Australia. Procedure Implementation of the PigPass national vendor declaration (NVD) linked to an on-farm quality assurance (QA) program was evaluated in May and December 2007 at saleyards and abattoirs in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Four focus group discussions with saleyard producers were held between April and July 2007. Results Implementation of the PigPass system in terms of accurate completion of the form and QA accreditation was higher at the export abattoir than at the regional saleyard at the first audit (P < 0.01). Implementation increased at the second audit at the abattoirs, but little change with time was observed at saleyards. Approximately half of the producers at saleyards used photocopied PigPass forms, made at least one error (>64%), and many vendors did not appear to be QA-accredited. During focus groups, producers expressed the view that PigPass implementation improved animal and product traceability. They identified the associated costs and a perceived lack of support by information providers as obstacles for adoption. Conclusion Improvement in the implementation of PigPass among producers marketing pigs at export abattoirs was observed during the 8-month period of the study. There is a need for a more uniform message to producers from government agencies on the importance of the PigPass NVD and QA and extension and education targeted toward producers supplying pigs to saleyards and domestic abattoirs to ensure compliance with the traceability requirements. [source] Advances in modelling heat transfer through wood framed walls in fireFIRE AND MATERIALS, Issue 6 2001P. Clancy Described in this paper are advances made in modelling heat transfer through wood framed walls in fire. Previously unpublished experimental results are also given. This type of modelling is used for the determination of the performance of fire safety systems, such as wood framed wall barriers, in accordance with new performance-based building regulations being introduced around the world. Advances include a discrete modelling method for radiative heat transfer in cavities with re-entrant corners and gaps formed by the shrinkage of stud cross-sections. It has been shown that the formation of the gaps can prevent temperatures rising in the fire side of studs by as much as 100,200°C. A simple means of modelling heat transfer by the movement of moisture and vapour, involving the modification of conductivity values has been developed. Sloughing of gypsum board sheets has been satisfactorily modelled assuming that a sheet sloughs when the temperature on the surface opposite the fire reaches the melting point of glass fibres in the gypsum board; that is, approximately 700°C. Recommendations on thermal properties obtained independently by other researchers are presented. Overall, the advances improve temperature predictions and broaden the range of walls that can be modelled including staggered stud walls as well as ordinary cavity walls. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Conduct of operations: A control system for your most important safety componentPROCESS SAFETY PROGRESS, Issue 1 2000Paul Haas Instrumentation and control engineers go to great lengths to ensure availability and operability of control and information display systems for process system operation, especially for safety systems. It is critically important to maintain equipment performance within the bounds of safe operation. The most crucial safety components in your facility are the human beings controlling, maintaining, monitoring, and managing the process and equipment. Have you ever given much thought to the control systems operated by humans in your facility? [source] Rural Hospital Patient Safety Systems Implementation in Two StatesTHE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2007Daniel R. Longo ScD ABSTRACT:,Context and Purpose:With heightened attention to medical errors and patient safety, we surveyed Utah and Missouri hospitals to assess the "state of the art" in patient safety systems and identify changes over time. This study examines differences between urban and rural hospitals.Methods:Survey of all acute care hospitals in Utah and Missouri at 2 points in time (2002 and 2004). Factor analysis was used to develop 7 latent variables to summarize the data, comparing rural and urban hospitals at each point in time and on change between the 2 survey times.Findings:On 3 of the 7 latent variables, there was a statistically significant difference between rural and urban hospitals at the first survey, with rural hospitals indicating lower levels of implementation. The differences remained present on 2 of those latent variables at the second survey. In both cases, 1 of those variables was computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems. Rural hospitals reported more improvement in systems implementation between the 2 survey times, with the difference statistically significant on 1 of the 7 latent variables; the greatest improvement was in implementation of "root cause analysis."Conclusions:Adoption of patient safety systems overall is low. Although rates of adoption among rural versus urban hospitals appear lower, most differences are not statistically significant; the gap between rural and urban hospitals relative to quality measures is narrowing. Change in rural and urban hospitals is in the right direction, with the rate of change higher in rural hospitals for many systems. [source] Sedation for oocyte retrieval using target controlled infusion of propofol and incremental alfentanil delivered by non-anaesthetistsANAESTHESIA, Issue 5 2010J. A. Edwards Summary Oocyte retrieval is a procedure where sedation is recommended. This paper presents the process of setting up a new, non-anaesthetist delivered service in our institution, the development of safety systems and the audit data we have used to assure quality, effectiveness and safety. Logbook data were collected for 4342 cases, with detailed audit data collected for 260 cases. Safety is acceptable with a respiratory adverse incident rate of 0.5/1000 (95% CI 0.1,1.6/1000 cases). Unplanned, direct anaesthetic assistance was required in 3.5/1000 cases (95% CI 1.7,5.3/1000 cases). Anaesthetic advice was required in 7.5% cases (95% CI 4.2,10.7%) at the inception of the service, but rarely once established: 0.6% (95% CI 0.2,1.0%). Nearly all patients (99%) would have the same sedation method again, no patients required admission, and patients' co-operation was judged by the operating surgeon as very good or good in 91% of cases. [source] | ||||||||||||||||