AIKEN, S.C. - Employees from more than 20 Savannah River Site (SRS) organizations repaired a glovebox cabinet in the HB Line ahead of schedule.
“Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), the management and operations contractor at SRS, replaced the HB Line Operational Area 5 glovebox panel that had been cracked during normal operations within six weeks of the planned 11 weeks," SRNS HB Line Operations Manager and Project Lead Lee Sims said.
A glovebox is a stainless steel box with safety glass panels that shields and segregates workers from hazards. It has fitted glove-port openings to allow contaminated materials handling.
The panel was cracked during a routine processing activity when equipment internal to the glovebox inadvertently came into contact with the inner-glass panel. The panel is made of a multilayer, shatter-proof safety glass, one of many safety features that protect workers.
“Over 20 functional organizations across SRS came together to ensure we completed this work safely," Sims said. “We looked at lessons learned from prior panel replacements before beginning work and planned each step carefully."
Management used the panel replacement as a teaching opportunity.
“We paired seasoned operators, and radiological protection department and construction personnel with less experienced employees. Because this is not an activity that is done often, it is important for experienced personnel to pass on the know-how for future work," Sims said.
SRNS implemented corrective actions associated with this event. The contractor worked with the Savannah River National Laboratory material group to help design improvements to equipment used in that glovebox to mitigate risk associated with equipment contacting the glovebox panel.
“I am proud of all the organizations and employees who came together to ensure the panel replacement was completed safely and successfully," said Wyatt Clark, SRNS vice president of environmental operations.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
