[DOE LETTERHEAD]
NATIONAL NUCLEAR
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
October 17, 2002
The Honorable John T. Conway
Chairman
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
625 Indiana Avenue, NW
Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20004-2901
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Thank you for your letter to me dated July
19, 2002, conveying the Defense Nuclear
Facilities Safety Board’s concern over
worker protection in the Tritium Extraction
Facility (TEF) that is currently in the
construction phase at the Savannah River Site (SRS). The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) welcomes the
Board’s
input on this subject and, like the Board,
is very interested in enhancing the safety of TEF
workers.
As you stated in your letter, your staff is working with my staff to
explore
effective and adequate safety features to
provide for worker safety.
The NNSA is currently taking formal action
to add the seismic monitor and alarm system
scope to the TEF project as part of the
ongoing Title II rebaselining action.
It is our conclusion that worker safety can be increased by providing
this low-cost advanced notice of a seismic event. This could allow workers to exit the TEF process areas quickly,
and minimize their possible exposure to radiological hazards as well as
industrial hazards during egress from the
buildings.
Prior to final installation of the seismic
detection and alarm system in the TEF, the NNSA
will test the planned system in the existing
233-H facility at the SRS. We have
determined this test is necessary in order to ensure that proven equipment and
processes
are used in the TEF. Enclosed is a report that describes the
233-H seismic detection and
alarm system test plan. Other alternatives to the seismic monitoring
system are cost
prohibitive, do not provide a significant
safety increase to the in-facility worker, are not
feasible to retrofit in the facility and,
therefore, are not being pursued.
Thank you again for your input and continued
support of the NNSA’s strategic goals.
Should you have any questions or concerns
relative to this matter, please contact Ms.
Maureen Hunemuller at 803-208-3689.
Sincerely,
Everet H. Beckner
Deputy Administrator
for Defense Programs
cc w/enclosure:
M. Whitalcer, S-3.1
M. Hunemuller, NNSA-SRSO