EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a regular summary
of operations at DOE's Idaho Site. It has been compiled
in response to a request from stakeholders for more
information on health, safety and environmental
incidents at DOE facilities in Idaho. It also includes a
brief summary of accomplishments at the laboratory. The
report is broken down by contractor:
Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project (AMWTP),
Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP)
and
Idaho National Laboratory (INL). This summary will
be sent to everyone on INL's regular news release
distribution list every other week. To be added to this
distribution list, please call Brad Bugger at (208)
526-0833.
Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project
Oct. 24: A technician at the Advanced Mixed Waste
Treatment Project suffered a puncture wound to his hand
when a wood splinter penetrated his work glove. No
radiological contamination was detected and the
technician was treated at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical
Center, where the sliver was removed. After a few weeks,
the technician continued to have numbness in his hand,
and surgery was performed to repair a damaged nerve.
(EM-ID—BBWI-AMWTF-2011-0012).
Nov. 3: It was discovered that a number of workers at
the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project had not
completed the refresher training course on alternative
methods for hazardous energy control, as required by
procedure. Work using alternative methods was suspended
and personnel were required to complete the refresher
training prior to entry into areas where alternative
methods would be used. (EM-ID—ITG-AMWTF-2011-0013).
Operational Summary
Through Oct. 31, 2011, a total of 36,742 cubic meters
of stored transuranic waste, 106.72 cubic meters of
remote-handled transuranic waste and 5,021 cubic meters
of previously buried transuranic waste have been shipped
to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico for
disposal.
Idaho Cleanup Project
Oct. 20: A worker at the Technical Support Annex
Classroom G received a mile shock when he reached into a
desk lamp housing to tighten the light bulb, unaware
that the light bulb was broken and the elements exposed.
He was examined at the Willow Creek Building medical
facility and no burns or other effects were found. The
lamp was taken out of service and other lamps were
checked for functionality; those in question were
removed from service. (EM-ID—CWI-LANDLORD-2011-0001).
Oct. 20: A small piece of radiologically-contaminated
foam debris was found by decontamination and
decommissioning (D&D) workers during cleanup of debris
from the roadside and drainage ditches north and east of
TRA-604. CWI determined the contaminated debris probably
came from past D&D activities. Surveys were taken and no
other contamination was found in the area.
(EM-ID—CWI-BIC-2011-0007).
Oct. 28: Two decontamination and decommissioning
workers at the Advanced Test Reactor Complex were
contaminated with radiological particles as they
processed out of a radiological work area. The particles
were successfully removed from their skin and clothing,
and properly disposed. The workers underwent whole body
frisks and no further contamination was found.
(EM-ID—CWI-BIC-2011-0008).
Operational Summary
Buried Waste Exhumation Progress: For the week ending
October 23, 2011, the Idaho Cleanup Project sent 48
drums of exhumed buried waste to Central
Characterization Project and processed 55 drums of newly
generated waste through the drum packaging stations. The
exhumations in Accelerated Retrieval Project VI were
completed and the exhumation area is now being
backfilled.
Idaho National Laboratory
Oct. 19: During inspection of incoming empty shipping
containers, two suspect/counterfeit bolts were
identified on tie down straps. The bolts were removed
and placed into bonded storage for disposal. The bolts
were replaced with new, compliant bolts.
(NE-ID—BEA—SMC-2011-0016).
Nov. 3: After removal of a sealed radioactive source
from the Materials and Fuels Complex industrial
wastewater life station monitor, contamination was
discovered on the gloves of the technician performing
the work. Contamination was also found on the source
housing and below the monitor on the floor. The job was
immediately stopped and surveys were performed and
smears taken in the contaminated areas. They indicated
no further spread of contamination. A management
investigation was initiated and a critique held.
(NE-ID—BEA-MFC-2011-0007).
Nov. 3: Radiological contamination was found on the
boot of a worker who had been working in a high
contamination area at the Fuel Conditioning Facility.
The contaminated area of the boot was cut out and sent
for analysis. The technician’s path from the
contamination area was surveyed and no further
contamination was discovered. A critique was conducted.
(NE-ID—BEA-FCF-2011-0005).
Operational Summary
Helping Site Power Transmission Lines: Researchers
with the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) at
Idaho National Laboratory are creating a new software
program that merges public opinion about transmission
lines with GIS technology. CAES is a research
partnership among INL, Boise State University, Idaho
State University and University of Idaho. Known as
LineSiter, the program's goal is to reduce public
friction over new transmission lines and the amount of
time it takes for new routes to be approved and built.
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