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Fernald
Topples Last Uranium Production Building
(6254D-815)
On April 29, Fluor Fernald demolition crews brought down the
Pilot Plant, the last of 10 former uranium complexes that produced
100 million pounds of high purity uranium metal from 1951–1989 to
support the nation’s weapons production needs. The demolition of
these structures clears a major hurdle toward completing the
environmental cleanup of the 1,050-acre Fernald site in 2006.
The former production area at Fernald sits on 125 acres in the
middle of the property. Uranium production plants once stretched
over nine city blocks with buildings standing anywhere from one to
seven stories tall. The mission of the facility was to take uranium
ore and ore concentrates, remove the impurities and ultimately
produce uranium metal for Defense Programs. Over the course of
nearly 40 years of production the plants and the soil beneath the
plants were contaminated. To reduce the spread of contamination
during demolition, the Department of Energy and Fluor Fernald worked
closely with Ohio and U.S. EPA to develop work processes that
protected workers as well as the environment.
Building demolition is not an easy job. In many cases workers
using powered hand equipment had to cut systems into pieces, which
were removed before building demolition could begin. In all cases
workers wore respirators, heavy anti-contamination clothing,
radiological and sometimes air monitoring devices in addition to
construction related equipment like hardhats, boots and gloves to
complete their tasks. “There are only about three weeks in the year
you’d want to wear that kind of equipment," said Fluor Fernald
Project Director Jamie Jameson. “Other than that, it’s stifling hot
in the summer and cold in the winter.“
Despite the difficult conditions, workers and safety personnel
developed work plans and processes that fostered a safety record far
superior to the national average. “Despite the challenges and all of
the unknowns you face when taking down a 40 year old plant, the
workers were committed to safety. They refused to accept that
getting hurt was part of the job. The results were outstanding,”
said DOE Fernald Director Bill Taylor.
With the demolition of the last production building soil
excavation personnel will begin removing contaminated concrete and
soil beneath the surface of the old plant. Some demolition workers
will begin asbestos removal in several administrative buildings
slated for demolition next year.
Fernald's uranium products, demolition safety and plant
fact sheets are
available. |
