The Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Council (HAMTC) issued a list of demands on Monday for better worker protection from chemical vapors associated with waste held in the Department of Energy site’s underground storage tanks. Demands include significantly increased requirements for use of supplied air respirators and moving all work that could cause the emission of chemical vapors to evening, night, or weekend shifts when fewer workers are on site.
Vapors have been an issue at Hanford for at least 20 years, but workers continue to suffer adverse health effects due to vapors, said HAMTC in a letter listing its demands. It was sent to DOE and its tank farm contractor. On Monday another worker received a medical check for possible exposure to chemical vapors, bringing the number of personnel receiving medical evaluations since late April to about 53. “The council firmly believes that more immediate actions need to be taken in order to prevent further exposures or potential exposures to the workforce,” the letter said.
HAMTC has not indicated what it will do if demands are not met quickly. However, stop work orders may be called by union officials or workers who do not believe work can be conducted safely. Stop work orders can be lifted by consensus of the contractor and HAMTC. As the tank farm contractor, Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) evaluates the demands, and it “will work with the union and the Department of Energy to determine a path forward to safely and efficiently continue our important mission,” said WRPS President Mark Lindholm in a message to employees.
