Up the Learning Curve for Reactor Safety: the Accident at Three Mile Island

Abstract

This paper presents an account of the accident which occurred at the Three Mile Island Unit 2 nuclear plant a March 28, 1979. A simplified description of the plant and some important components is given. Subsequently, some of the major events which occurred, actions that were taken, and resulting consequences are described. A brief account of some of the factors affecting operator actions is given, and the response of the nuclear industry to remedy some of the perceived shortcomings affecting reactor safety is discussed.