Two Workers ‘Splashed’ With Dangerous Chemical
Mike Nartker
WC Monitor
4/24/2015
Operations at the Portsmouth depleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF6) conversion plant remain suspended in the wake of an accident that occurred at the plant late last month, and it remains unclear when work will resume. The accident involved two workers being exposed to potassium hydroxide while performing post-maintenance testing, one of whom had to be airlifted to a medical facility for treatment, according to a Department of Energy occurrence report. In a written response late this week, a DOE spokesman said, “The safety of all workplace personnel is a top priority for the Department. Conversion operations at the Portsmouth DUF6 facility remain halted pending the U.S. Department of Energy’s completion of further evaluation of processes and procedures to ensure safe operations.” The DOE spokesman did not respond when asked when the facility is expected to resume operations.
The Department’s two DUF6 conversion plants, located at the Portsmouth and Paducah sites, are intended to help disposition more than 700,000 metric tons of material stored in thousands of cylinders at the two sites. The facilities are currently operated by B&W Conversion Services, LLC, which declined to comment on the accident this week.
Worker Noticed ‘Clumps of Hair in His Hand’ After Exposure
The accident occurred on March 25 as operators were performing a post-maintenance test after a filter change on the back-up scrubber pump at the Portsmouth DUF6 plant, according to the DOE occurrence report. “Maintenance personnel reported that a lockout/tagout (LOTO) had been previously applied. The drain valve was open and the system was drained when the filter was replaced. While performing the release of the LOTO and PMT leak test, two employees were splashed with Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) when the filter vent plug dislodged releasing KOH,” the report says.
One of the two operators was splashed with potassium hydroxide on the top of his head and around his eyes. “Operator #1 eyes were flushed with water for several minutes and both employees showered. Operator #1 noticed clumps of hair in his hand as he was showering. Emergency response personnel were then contacted. Emergency response personnel treated both operators and made a conservative decision to transport Operator #1 via helicopter to a hospital with suitable facilities to provide best prompt medical attention,” the report says. The operator “has been released to return to work,” the DOE spokesman said late this week.
Will Contractor Face Penalty For Accident?
It remains to be seen whether DOE will choose to open a formal enforcement investigation into the accident or levy any kind of financial penalty against BWCS. According to the DOE spokesman, the Department is in the midst of evaluating the contractor’s corrective actions. “Operating processes and procedures are under review to ensure tasks involving hazardous materials contain appropriate requirements for the safety of personnel and equipment. The Department continues to evaluate corrective actions and reserves the right to take any appropriate action through its oversight of the contractor’s performance ensuring enforcement of all safety requirements,” the DOE spokesman said.
