What is the primary focus of criticality safety?

The primary focus of criticality safety is to prevent unintended nuclear chain reactions. This is essential in environments where fissile materials are handled, such as nuclear facilities or laboratories, as these materials can undergo rapid, uncontrolled chain reactions if not appropriately managed. The goal of criticality safety is to establish and maintain control measures that ensure fissile materials remain below their critical mass in given configurations. By adhering to safety protocols and ensuring that the conditions remain safe, organizations can prevent catastrophic events that could lead to significant radiation hazards.

In contrast, limiting exposure levels to radiation primarily focuses on protecting individuals from the harmful effects of radiation, which is a different area of safety. Ensuring proper use of radiation detection instruments is related to monitoring radiation levels and ensuring safety but does not directly address the prevention of chain reactions. Maintaining hazardous waste disposal protocols is crucial for environmental safety but is not specifically related to the concerns of criticality safety.