RICHLAND, Wash. - EM’s contractor operations and maintenance teams at the Hanford Site are set to train on a new simulated, standalone water system to improve performance and safety and develop critical work skills.
Located at the Volpentest Hazardous Materials Management and Emergency Response (HAMMER) Federal Training Center, the simulator tests skills in systems and conduct of operations, human performance improvement and team concepts such as independent verification, questioning attitude and leadership.
The employees use pumps, valves, control systems and other devices resembling the site’s facility systems. They avoid possible hazards by using tap water at low pressure and room temperature.
Mission Support Alliance (MSA), Hanford’s infrastructure provider, built the machine late last year based on a simulator from Idaho National Laboratory. A team from MSA and Hanford contractors CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company and Washington River Protection Solutions helped design it.
“In this type of learning environment, an employee can make mistakes, question activities and explore principles without fear of causing an adverse incident," said Stan Scott, HAMMER’s program manager for requirements and standards. “In essence, they are training on what looks, acts and feels like a real system, but the simulator allows trainees to make mistakes and walk through processes slowly - something they couldn’t do if we were training them on a system that was in place and delivering services."
An instructor guides and mentors participants in customized scenarios for a variety of training applications, including radiological control and confined space training.
“The simulator will provide a much-needed tool to the Hanford workforce, a tool that will bridge the gap and help develop and improve critical operational skills that are normally not covered in school or in apprenticeship training programs," Scott said.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
