Personnel were ordered to leave a Hanford Site tank farm Wednesday morning and access was restricted after three workers reported smelling odors consistent with chemical vapors associated with tank waste.
The incident occurred despite Hanford tank farm contractor Washington River Protection Solutions complying with a federal court order issued Tuesday in an effort to prevent potential vapor exposures. The workers were outside the AY Tank Farm at 8:45 a.m. when work inside the area was starting for the day. Workers inside the farm were wearing supplied air respirators, as required by the order, and no waste was being disturbed. The order prohibits waste from being disturbed unless necessary for safety reasons. Disturbing waste can increase the likelihood of vapors being released.
Two of the workers who smelled an odor Wednesday had symptoms, which were not made public. They received medical evaluations and were released to return to work. The third worker declined a medical evaluation. The incident brings the number of workers receiving medical checks for possible exposure to chemical vapors this spring and summer to about 57.
The federal court order stands until U.S. Judge Thomas Rice rules on a motion for preliminary injunction brought by Washington state, Hanford Challenge, and union Local 598 demanding better protection for workers from chemical vapors. The injunction request, which is set for a hearing on Oct. 12, precedes a court trial scheculed for next May in the state’s lawsuit against the federal government over worker safety at Hanford.
