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

WIPP RH PSAR DOE/WIPP-03-3174 CHAPTER 7
7.2.3.6 Occupational Medical Program
The occupational medical site personnel, as defined in the Occupational Medical Program, 15 work in
close cooperation and coordination with other departments to optimize the maintenance of a healthful
work environment. Pre-employment, periodic, return to work, and termination health examinations are
coordinated with the Human Resources Department. Diagnosis and treatment of occupational injuries
and illnesses are coordinated with all departments where these incidents may occur. Health maintenance
and preventive medical activities are coordinated with IS&H.
The program overview is performed by an occupational medical physician, who works part-time under
contract to the WIPP facility. The physician is assisted by an on-site occupational health nurse and
emergency service technicians (ESTs). The ESTs provide 24-hour emergency medical coverage on the
site.
The occupational medical program is designed to accomplish the following:
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Ensure the health and safety of employees in their work environments, through the application of
occupational health principles
Determine the physical fitness of employees to perform job assignments without undue hazard to
themselves, fellow employees, or the public at large
Ensure the early detection and treatment of employee occupational illness, or injuries, by means of
scheduled periodic health evaluations and a wellness awareness program
7.2.4 Environmental Monitoring
DOE Order 5400.1, General Environmental Protection Program 17 , requires DOE facilities to conduct an
environmental monitoring program to safeguard the safety of the public and the environment. WIPP
environmental monitoring is performed in accordance with DOE/WIPP 99-2194, WIPP Environmental
Monitoring Plan 16 which was written in accordance with the guidelines in DOE Order 5400.1 17 .
Environmental monitoring was initiated in 1984 and will continue throughout the operational life of the
facility. The data collected prior to receipt of CH TRU waste was used to establish the baseline
measurements.
It is estimated that 98.9 percent of the total CH-TRU Curies is contributed by Pu-238, Pu-239, Pu-240,
and Am-241, while 96.5 percent of RH TRU Curies is contributed by Co-60, Sr-90, Cs-137, Pu-239,
Pu-240, and Am-241. There are a few other radionuclides associated with TRU wastes but are so low in
quantities and contribute insignificantly to the total radioactivity and radiation doses that they are not
measured. All samples obtained during environmental monitoring are analyzed for Pu-238, Pu-239+240,
Am-241, U-234, U-235, U-238, K-40, Cs-137, Co-60, and Sr-90. These radionuclides are found in either
the TRU waste or occur naturally in the environment. Radiological environmental sampling determined
the amount and type of naturally occurring radioactivity in the WIPP area prior to operational status and
provides a comparison between pre-operational and operational radiological observations to detect
potential impacts. Environmental monitoring is conducted throughout the year and the analytical data is
reported in the annual Site Environmental Report. 18
7.2-5 January 22, 2003