Human performance in radiological survey scanning
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
- Oak Ridge Inst. for Science and Education, TN (United States)
The probability of detecting residual contamination in the field using portable radiological survey instruments depends not only on the sensitivity of the instrumentation used in scanning, but also on the surveyor`s performance. This report provides a basis for taking human performance into account in determining the minimum level of activity detectable by scanning. A theoretical framework was developed (based on signal detection theory) which allows influences on surveyors to be anticipated and understood, and supports a quantitative assessment of performance. The performance of surveyors under controlled yet realistic field conditions was examined to gain insight into the task and to develop means of quantifying performance. Then, their performance was assessed under laboratory conditions to quantify more precisely their ability to make the required discriminations. The information was used to characterize surveyors` performance in the scanning task and to provide a basis for predicting levels of radioactivity that are likely to be detectable under various conditions by surveyors using portable survey instruments.
- Research Organization:
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States). Div. of Regulatory Applications; Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States); Oak Ridge Inst. for Science and Education, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 573244
- Report Number(s):
- NUREG/CR--6364; BNL-NUREG--52474; ON: TI98003336
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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