DOE 2000. - Waste Isolation Pilot Plant - U.S. Department of Energy

WIPP RH PSAR DOE/WIPP-03-3174 CHAPTER 5
HAZARD AND ACCIDENT ANALYSIS
This chapter: (1) systematically identifies the potential hazards resulting from Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
(WIPP) remote handled (RH) transuranic (TRU) waste disposal-phase handling and emplacement normal
operations, and (2) assesses those hazards to evaluate abnormal, internal operational, external, and natural
phenomena events that could develop into accidents. The hazard analysis: (1) considers the complete
spectrum of accidents that may occur and qualitatively analyzes the accident annual occurrence
frequency, and the resultant potential consequences to the public, workers, facility operations, and the
environment; (2) identifies and assesses associated preventative and mitigative features for defense-indepth;
and (3) identifies a subset of accidents to be quantitatively evaluated in the accident analysis. The
accident analysis evaluates these accidents against risk evaluation guidelines to verify the adequacy of the
preventative and mitigative systems.
The methodology and requirements of 10 CFR Part 830.204, 1 and its implementing standards
DOE-STD-1027-92 2 and DOE-STD-3009-94 3 were utilized in the development of this chapter. The
potential hazards associated with the long-term waste isolation phase are addressed in the WIPP
performance assessment submitted to EPA in October, 1996. The performance assessment is
summarized in Section 5.3.
5.1 Remote Handled (RH) Transuranic (TRU) Hazard Analysis
The RH TRU 72-B cask and RH TRU 10-160B cask hazard analysis involved a multi-step process which
included (1) identification of the potential hazards associated with RH waste handling operations, (2)
characterization of the RH waste expected at the WIPP, (3) hazard evaluations in the form of Hazard and
Operability Studies 4 &5 (HAZOPs) for the 72-B cask and 10-160B cask waste handling and emplacement
processes, (4) the identification of potential accidents requiring quantitative accident analysis, (5)
development of the defense-in-depth philosophy, and (6) an evaluation of worker protection from those
accidents identified in the qualitative hazards analysis.
The hazard analysis in this section includes a thorough review of the following documentation; Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), 6 Final Supplement Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), 7
WIPP Fire Hazards and Risk Analysis (FHRA), 8 and Failure Modes and Effects Analyses to ensure
hazards were thoroughly evaluated.
5.1.1 Hazard Identification
A hazard is defined as a material, energy source, or operation that has a potential for causing injury or
illness in humans, or damage to a facility or the environment, without regard for the frequency or
credibility of accident scenarios or consequence mitigation. 3 Hazards associated with normal WIPP
operations include mining dangers, high voltage, compressed gases, confined spaces, radiological and
non-radiological hazardous materials, non-ionizing radiation, high noise levels, mechanical and moving
equipment dangers, working at heights, construction, and material handling dangers. Waste handling
operations at the WIPP do not involve high temperature and pressure systems, rotating machinery,
electromagnetic fields, or use of toxic materials in large quantities.
Routine occupational hazards are regulated by DOE-prescribed Occupational Safety and Health Act
(OSHA) and by Mine Safety and Health Act (MSHA) standards. Programs for protecting WIPP workers
from routine occupational hazards are discussed in Chapter 8.
5.1-1 January 22, 2003