Re: HEAT STRESS/Radsafe: help!

["Joan E. Stovall" <joans@pcez.com>]

	A possible suggestion, for dealing with the heat stress problem, is
the use of a cooling vest (one with circulating ice water)
underneath the PPE.  I remember that some nuclear plants have used
these, when workers have been required to work in above normal
temperatures.

	All opinions expressed are my own

Joan Stovall, 
joans@pcez.com
>From: "David Levy" <david.levy@fernald.gov>
>Date: 11/5/98  1:06:23PM
>To: "Multiple recipients of list" <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>Subject: HEAT STRESS/Radsafe:  help!
>
>     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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