RICHLAND, Wash. - EM Office of River Protection tank farms contractor Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) recently earned its fourth consecutive Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Innovation Award.
This year, WRPS received the award for developing and implementing innovative tools to reduce radiological and industrial hazards to workers removing pumps and other long-length equipment from Hanford ’s waste storage tanks.
“ORP values WRPS’s continued commitment to worker safety," said Jeremy Johnson, ORP deputy federal project director for tank farms. “The development of these tools is critical to effectively managing Hanford’s tank waste."
The tools include a gadget that penetrates the pump column in strategic locations while the pump is raised, allowing the waste to drain back into the tank. Another tool spools foam insulation, or shielding, around the pump as it is raised from the pump pit, further reducing radiation levels. A remotely installed spray ring system also was developed to clean external surfaces of the pump during removal, eliminating the need for an employee to enter the pit.
“WRPS has built a tradition of developing safe and cost-effective methods and tooling to get critical high-hazard work done," said John Eschenberg, who was recently named WRPS president and project manager. “I’m proud of our team’s continued ingenuity and for always putting safety first."
Last year, WRPS won the VPP Innovation Award for establishing a physiological monitoring program that has helped eliminate heat stress cases the past two-plus years in Hanford’s tank farms.
In 2016, the award was for developing a shield that protects a worker wearing full face respiratory equipment from an arc flash. And in 2015, the contractor was recognized for developing a tool to help reduce worker exposure during surveys of radioactive equipment used to retrieve tank waste.
More VPP awards
WRPS also received the Legacy of Stars award, given to companies that obtain the VPP Star of Excellence in four consecutive years by demonstrating outstanding cooperative efforts among employees, management, and DOE to continuously improve safety and health programs.
Chris Thursby, WRPS industrial safety manager, was the recipient of the DOE Contractor Champion Award for “outstanding performance and leadership in furthering the advancement of VPP."
The awards were presented last month at a national Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association conference in Nashville.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
