RICHLAND, Wash. - Hanford Site workers have implemented a new interactive training course to ensure radiological control technicians have the tools and resources they need to keep workers safe.
Developed at EM’s Hazardous Materials Management & Emergency Response (HAMMER) Federal Training Center, the course engages students through hands-on exercises and fosters the sharing of experiences and knowledge.
“Radiological control technicians are essential to safety in Hanford Site cleanup," said Jill Conrad, the EM program manager at HAMMER. Their responsibilities include controlling contamination and exposure to radiological hazards, and conducting radiological surveys of areas and surfaces where contamination might be present.
“It’s essential that technicians are trained to work safely and effectively. One of the best ways to do that is to have experienced technicians teaching incoming employees using real scenarios and activities, and these technicians will be in high demand for a long time," Conrad said.
Since October, 120 radiological control technicians, first-line managers, and health physicists from contractors CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company, Mission Support Alliance, and Washington River Protection Solutions have attended the training. Planners have scheduled weekly sessions through March 2019 and expect to accommodate nearly 600 students.
“There is a vast amount of untapped experience and knowledge within the Hanford Site’s radiological control technicians’ groups," said Michael Meyer, HAMMER health physics staff instructor. “Our goal at HAMMER is to create a training environment that encourages student interaction and the sharing of work practices that will lead to a safer work environment for everyone."
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
