HEAT STRESS/Radsafe: help!

["David Levy"<david.levy@fernald.gov>]

     People,
     
     I'm certain many of you have been caught up in the heat stress/stay 
     times vs. PPE issues in which I am currently embroiled.  I'm seeking 
     friendly advice, anecdotes, ... anything that might help.
     
     Here's my situation (grossly simplified to cut down on bandwidth):
     
     CONTROLLING ISOTOOPE  thorium 230
     
     WASTE FORM:  product (heterogeneous), debris, and soil
     
     WASTE CONTAINERS:  covered pits in the ground
     
     PROJECT:  excavate pits, process material, load into railcars, ship 
     off-site.  This is a DOE facility.
     
     PROCESSING FACILITY:  large building with high walls open at the top, 
     roof, garage door openings at far ends, passive ridge roof ventilators 
     on top.
     
     ANTI-CONTAMINATION CLOTHING:  double layer of coveralls (outer layer, 
     disposable) and PAPRs (and gloves, booties, ...)
     
     PROBLEM:  heat stress and stay times.
     
     I am seeking ways to cut back on the PPE, but at best I think we'll 
     only be able to trim it back a little (if I'm lucky, we'll be able to 
     get it back to single coveralls and a full-face air purifying 
     respirator).
     
     I am exploring innovative ways to get the workers as close to the work 
     site as possible before having to don their anti-contamination 
     clothing.
     
     I am currently against a physiological monitoring program to extend 
     stay times due to the potential for cross-contamination, but I am 
     interested in anyone's experience with this type of monitoring in the 
     rigid environment of a thorium area.
     
     I am pretty much working in an environment where the workers have 
     never been satisfied with cool suits or ice vests or any of that type 
     of control, but I am open to suggestions regarding new products out 
     there.
     
     Also, does anyone have any experience getting water to workers in a 
     contamination area while ensuring radiological cleanliness?
     
     Any ideas?
     
     Thanks!
     
     David A. Levy, david.levy@fernald.gov
     Fernald, Ohio
     (513) 661-3563

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