DOE-Idaho Bi-Weekly Operations Summary
Issued Aug. 14, 2006
For the Period of July 24-Aug 6, 2006
Environmental Management
Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project (AMWTP)
Summary of Occurrence Reports
(Note: Date below indicates when notification was made of the incident)
July 25: While assembling payloads, an operations technician discovered a slight bulge on the lid of a 10-drum over pack. The packing was complete with all bolts tightened to the correct specifications. The bolts, except one, were loosened for examination. During inspection, the lid snapped shut, injuring the technician’s finger. Proper notifications were made to the shift team leader and the shift manager. The injured technician was evaluated by emergency medical technicians and transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and released. The lid was retightened to the proper torque specifications. (EM-ID–BBWI-AMWTF-2006-0020)
Operational Status
Through July 22, a cumulative total of 11,466 cubic meters of transuranic waste has been shipped to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico. AMWTP made 19 waste shipments during the week ending July 29.
Environmental Management
Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP)
Summary of Occurrence Reports
(Note: Date below indicates when notification was made of the incident)
July 25: Maintenance personnel removed the basin level probes at CPP-603 without a lockout/tag out (LO/TO) installed prior to starting work. The general work package required that a LO/TO be in place between the junction box and the step-down transformer before removing the probes. This would prevent the alarm and provide worker protection. When it was realized that the LO/TO was not installed, all work was stopped and supervisory management was immediately notified. Personnel were not exposed to a hazardous level of energy. (EM-ID–CWI-LANDLORD-2006-0007)
July 25: A worker was found to have contamination on his right forearm after exiting the work area at the CPP-604 Pump Pit. Contamination levels were measured at 400 counts- per-minute (cpm) beta-gamma. The contamination was successfully removed from the worker. Work was suspended, appropriate notifications were made, and a fact-finding meeting was held.
(EM-ID–CWI-WASTEMNGT-2006-0004)
August 1: An equipment operator slipped and fell from a ladder while loading a trailer at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC). He was initially examined and first aid provided at the INTEC dispensary. He was then transported to the medical facility at the Central Facilities Area (CFA), where it was determined that he had
cracked a rib. The employee was treated and released to go home. All appropriate notifications were made and a critique was preformed. (EM-ID–CWI-LANDLORD- 2006-0008)
August 2: A Potentially Inadequate Safety Analysis condition was identified at the Radioactive Waste Management Complex after site personnel discovered that combustible control requirements for waste sacks at the Accelerated Retrieval Project-Retrieval Enclosure may not be consistent with current safety documentation. Appropriate compensatory measures were taken, and an Unreviewed Safety Question Determination was initiated. (EM-ID–CWI-RWMC-2006-0014)
Aug 3: A technician tripped while leaving a secondary containment area, injuring both elbows. He was transported to Central Facility Area (CFA) medical where it was determined that he had fractures to both elbows. He was released by CFA medical to consult with a personal physician. (EM-ID–CWI-RWMC-2006-0015)
Operational Status
A review team has determined that there are no major problems with moving forward a sodium-bearing waste treatment project at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center. Some clarification on project cost and schedule contingency will be necessary before the review issues its final report at the end of August.
Nuclear Energy
Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
Summary of Occurrence Reports
(Note: Date below indicates when notification was made of the incident)
July 25: A battery powered emergency lighting unit fell from its mounting bracket in a building at the Specific Manufacturing Capability area. No one was in close proximity to the area and no one was injured. Maintenance personnel inspected other similar lights at the facility and verified their condition. The distributor of the lights was contacted, who in turn contacted the manufacturer.
(NE-ID–BEA-SMC-2006-0004)
July 26: A review of the powdered uranium inventory stored at the Nuclear Materials Inspection and Storage Facility (NMIS) was conducted to determine if it was within the safety basis to repackage and permanently remove the material from the facility. The quantity of material in some of the individual packages was large enough to raise a question about whether the current safety documentation was sufficient, resulting in an unreviewed safety question finding. Interim controls were established for the movement of uranium powders from these approved storage areas.
(NE-ID–BEA-ATR-2006-0010)
August 2: Operations personnel were routing tubing through the Advanced Test Reactor Loop 2B transmitter cabinet when the tubing came in contact with a conduit. The radiological controls technician noted a spark coming from the end of the conduit upon contact. Work was immediately stopped, management was notified and boundaries were established to restrict access to the area. The source of the spark was determined and power to the energized wiring was tagged out. The wiring was placed in an electrically safe configuration by insulating the exposed ends of the wiring and then power was restored. (NE-ID–BEA-ATR-2006-0011)
August 2: Workers at the Reactor Technology Complex (RTC) were using a truck mounted auger to install a back guy anchor inside the RTC electrical substation, when they cut an underground power cable. Following correct work procedures and having the truck and equipment properly grounded protected the workers during this incident. Additionally, the workers responded to the accident by quickly implementing proper safety procedures and successfully avoided harm to anyone. Work was stopped and the area was evacuated and posted. A lockout/tag out isolated the effected power cable and power was rerouted. (NE-ID–BEA-RTC-2006-0006)
Operational Status
The Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) participated in the third annual Radiation Roundup in Salt Lake City, Utah, July 18-20. The event was well received and all evaluations were positive. The Roundup was cosponsored by the State of Utah, the Utah National Guard and Region 6 RAP. Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. has asked that next year’s Roundup come back to Utah. General Motors (GM) sponsored a visit to Idaho National Laboratory (INL) on July 26- 28 as part of their “Energy Pathways to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles” series. The series identifies the diversity of sources for hydrogen, including geothermal, solar, wind and nuclear. The event was attended by 12 journalists from a variety of automotive publications and five GM executives. Presentations were provided by General Atomics, INL, General Electric, and Entergy. The presentations discussed nuclear technology and methods for using nuclear heat and electricity for hydrogen production. The INL role was to describe its research and to answer questions. Under a contract with Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and AREVA, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) received four high-burnup M5-clad fuel rods and two M5 guide tubes for research purposes, including nondestructive and destructive characterization work. The information from these investigations will help provide data
leading to licensing of the M5 fuel for higher burnup. The M5 fuel rod segments and guide tubes will next be shipped to BWXT and then to Argonne National Laboratory for complete mechanical testing. This project is part of a work for others agreement with the EPRI and AREVA and is a flagship for government-industry collaboration doing research and development to support the nation’s nuclear industry as part of the mission at the new INL.