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06logo2006 Waste Management Symposium

Global Accomplishments in Environmental and Radioactive Waste Management:
Education and Opportunity for the Next Generation of
Waste Management Professionals

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Session 57 - Panel and Workshop:  Respiratory Protection

 

Panel Reporter:  Judy Connell, Fluor

This session was based on the following premise: As cleanup work in the DOE Complex accelerates, and aging, radiologically contaminated facilities are demolished, D&D workers must wear full personnel protective equipment to guard against airborne radiological hazards.  Many workers use power-air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) rather than "supplied breathing air." The ramifications of using PAPRs were discussed.

The following individuals participated in the panel:

  • Rob Harris, Bullard (respiratory-equipment manufacturer)
  • Gary Storr, Bullard
  • Jay Mears, MSA (respiratory-equipment manufacturer)
  • Pete Knollmeyer, Vice President, K Basins Closure Project, Fluor Hanford

Pete Knollmeyer

Knollmeyer summarized the issues in a clear and positive way, demonstrating what can potentially happen to impair the effectiveness of the equipment in the field.  Knollmeyer brought the equipment to the workshop, which was an extremely effective way to frame the issues.  He demonstrated the potential for damaging the air vent on the PAPR hood, and showed how the battery pack could become dislodged and how the hoses delivering the air could become disconnected. 

Bullard and MSA

All three representatives from the equipment manufacturers were knowledgeable and responsive, and added value to the workshop.

Two topics of interest were raised by the vendors:

  1. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) apparently is developing changes affecting respirators. Both Jay Mears of MSA and Gary Storr of Bullard were aware of the NIOSH changes.
  2. Bullard has set up a direct web link to their Product Quality staff  - "Quality@bullard.com"  - to allow direct feedback from customers in real time. MSA has a feedback system as well, although not as direct.

The attendance at this Session was sparse, primarily because it was a late addition to the Conference Program and was not widely advertised before the Conference. However, those who did attend found the information valuable.

For more information on this topic, please contact:

Judy Connell, Judith_Connell@rl.gov

Pete Knollmeyer, Peter_Knollmeyer@rl.gov