Example 2: Utilizing a Multi-disciplined Team during Job Planning

DOE-STD-1120-2005/Vol. 2

Example 2:

Utilizing a Multi-disciplined Team during Job Planning

A project involved decontamination and demolition of a manufacturing facility with a floor space of

120,000 ft2 that included metallurgical processing and fabrication of uranium metal components. An

initial inspection showed the potential for chemical, radiological, and asbestos contamination throughout

the building where the structural integrity was suspect. Of major importance for decontamination within

the structure and the eventual demolition of the structure was the condition of the roof.

For decommissioning planning purposes, it was necessary to characterize the roof and associated support

structures, particularly for radiological contamination and asbestos composition of insulation. This would

require access to the roof. Before initiating characterization activities, a licensed structural engineer

completed a structural inspection and evaluation. This evaluation determined that 70 percent of the roof

area and associated structures were not sufficient to support personnel egress. The evaluation identified

pathways that were sound, and structural supports that could be used to attach personnel fall protection.

Access control was established for entry onto the roof. This was coordinated with the radiation protection

and industrial hygiene specialist to ensure that adequate access would be available to complete the

additional characterization activities necessary to support decommissioning planning.

As a result of the integrated approach, with an emphasis on structural integrity as being significant to

worker safety, the characterization and subsequent decontamination and structural demolition activities

were planned and executed with no worker injuries or lost time accidents and without releases of

hazardous substances into the environment.

Example 3:

Using Historical Information to Supplement Facility Characterization

During the planning of characterization activities for the decommissioning of a surplus test reactor

building, a historical research effort into past hot cell programmatic operations revealed the following key

information:

(1) Inspections and handling of nuclear fuel containing significant quantities of fission products and

loose alpha contamination were of major concern. Historical reports provided information on the

nature of the materials inspected in the hot cells.

(2) Facility descriptions and operational procedures highlighted the use of an underground hot waste

catch tank fed from hot cell drains.

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