July 23, 2020 – A Facility Disposition crew at EM’s West Valley Demonstration Project replaced the hoist in the equipment decontamination room during essential mission‐critical operations. This was the first work activity that involved both COVID‐19 protocols and radiological personal protective equipment; and is associated with the future demolition of the main plant process building – an EM2020 Priority. The site is currently in Phase 2 of its Work Resumption Plan.
“This is a good example of what can be accomplished when issues are discussed and ideas are shared,” Dale Macklem said. “Open communication allows employees and supervisors to be more engaged and understand that what they do matters in our future success.”
Employees openly discussed their questions and concerns with supervisors and senior staff in a collaborative and inclusive manner that resulted in an agreed upon approach in donning and doffing personal protective equipment safely for this particular work activity. Lessons learned from this work activity, which combined COVID‐19 protocols and protection, along with work‐related PPE, will be applied to future cleanup work at the site. Link to article
work at the site.
