Safe Decontamination and Demolition of Explosives-processing Facilities
Abstract
This paper provides insight to applying explosive safety and risk management principles to the unique issues associated with decontamination, disassembly, and demolition (D3) of equipment and facilities that have previously been used for manufacturing or Demilitarization of explosive materials and/or articles. SMS and the Arcadis Team have successfully completed the D3 operations for all high hazard facilities at a decommissioned rocket motor manufacturing facility. The completion of these operations enables additional insights and explanations regarding the risk management protocol and procedures that contributed to the safe removal of equipment and facilities contaminated with various explosive materials. Improper D3 of such locations could have resulted in serious injury or death of personnel. Successful implementation of explosives safety, risk management, and engineering principles has resulted in project completion with no lost time injuries (over 900,000 man hours). This paper addresses specific examples of the significant challenges encountered and the risk management systems implemented to ensure safe D3 operations. It also illustrates how the fundamental principles of explosives safety have been woven into all aspects of hazard identification, D3 protocol/procedures, personnel training, and site management.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA532179
Entities
People
- Robert Ford