DOE-Idaho Operations Summary
Issued Oct. 5, 2007
DOE-ID Bi-Weekly Summary
For the Period Sept. 18 – Oct. 1, 2007
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a regular summary of operations at Idaho National Laboratory. It has been compiled in response to a request from stakeholders for more information on health, safety and environmental incidents at INL. 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.
Environmental Management
Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project
(Note: Date below indicates when notification was made of the incident)
Sept. 19: Workers discovered that a valve for the fire suppression system at a building at the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project was shut, which would have prevented the fire spray system from working in the event of a fire. The facility was shut down for a power outage when the discovery was made. It was ordered continued closed until the valve was properly aligned. (EM-ID-BBWI-AMWTF-2007-0015).
Operational Status
Waste Shipments: Through Sept. 30, 2007, a total of 18,896 cubic meters of stored, contact-handled transuranic waste has been sent from Idaho to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico for disposal. In addition, 23.41 cubic meters of stored, remote-handled waste and 33.5 cubic meters of formerly buried waste have been shipped to WIPP for disposal.
Idaho Cleanup Project
Sept. 26: During a pre-job briefing for a maintenance activity at the Accelerated Retrieval Project-1, it was determined that incorrect air filters were being used by construction and maintenance workers. The workers were removed from the area and work was stopped pending an exposure assessment. Based on monitoring data, no workers received exposures of hazardous chemicals above health standards. (EM-ID-CWI-RWMC-2007-0015).
Sept. 27: Four technicians experienced breathing problems when they were exposed to fumes from a plasma cutting torch at the Materials Test Reactor building. The four employees were treated at the Central Facility Area dispensary and released. Work was suspended until the cause of the incident could be determined and corrective action taken. (EM-ID-CWI-BIC-2007-0004).
Operational Status
Tank Closure: Grout has been poured into the dome of five of seven cleaned and closed underground waste storage tanks at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center. Plans are to pour grout in the domes of the final two cleaned tanks this week.
Nuclear Energy
Idaho National Laboratory
Sept. 19: During a scheduled INL-wide suspect/counterfeit part assessment, four counterfeit/suspect bolts were discovered. The bolts will be evaluated. (NE-ID-BEA-SMC-2007-0004).
Sept. 19: Electricians working at the Advanced Test Reactor discovered electrical energy in an area that was supposed to be de-energized to allow for maintenance. Work was stopped and an investigation undertaken to determine the source of the energy. (NE-ID-BEA-ATR-2007-0018).
Sept. 20: During a scheduled INL-wide suspect/counterfeit part assessment, suspect/counterfeit parts were found in three buildings at the Materials and Fuels Complex. The suspect items were removed.
(NE-ID-BEA-MFC-2007-0003).
Sept. 27: During electrical installation work at two office buildings at the Reactor Technology Complex, power was inadvertently established to the wrong building. Work was halted and an investigation undertaken to determine the cause of incident. (NE-ID-ID-BEA-RTC-2007-0003).
Sept. 27: An inspection of INL’s Central Facilities Area landfill noted that there was litter blowing around the landfill area. INL will address the problem and notify the Southeastern District Health Department when it is resolved. (NE-ID-BEA-CFA-2007-0006).
Operational Status
International Inspectors Trained: INL hosted eight International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards inspectors for training on pyroprocessing technology, and tours of related INL facilities. The training supports INL’s role as a technical leader in international nuclear safeguards.