Under contract to Bechtel Jacobs Company, LLC (BJC) at the Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) in Oak Ridge TN, WESKEM performed the remote handling of numerous spent nuclear fuel elements. The spent fuel elements were associated with an ORNL experimental nuclear reactor project and over a six year period have been shipped to the DOE Idaho site for long-term storage. The spent fuel elements have an average dose rate of 3000 – 4000 R/hr.

WESKEM waste management staff provided all the planning, documentation, and labor required for removing the spent fuel elements from their temporary storage location and transporting them to a staging area on the ORNL site. The WESKEM staff then repackaged the elements into NRC and DOT approved casks in preparation for shipment to the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) DOE site.

WESKEM staff worked with the BJC management to develop the ALARA plans to minimize radiation doses to the project personnel. WESKEM then implemented the plans by incorporating the ALARA requirements into the work procedures. WESKEM staff also designed and installed lead shielding and provided other equipment to reduce personnel exposure. The WESKEM staff supporting this project is highly experienced in the remote handling techniques and hoisting, and rigging of extremely high activity radioactive waste such as spent nuclear fuel.

All project milestones have been achieved on time and within projected budget.