Crews with the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) recently removed a large steel bridge crane from the Chemical Process Cell Crane Room as part of the ongoing demolition of the Main Plant Process Building at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP).
Office of Environmental Management
July 23, 2024
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Using an excavator with a hydraulic claw, an operator at the West Valley Demonstration Project removes the Chemical Process Cell Crane Room bridge crane as workers spray water to control dust.
WEST VALLEY, N.Y. — Crews with the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) recently removed a large steel bridge crane from the Chemical Process Cell Crane Room as part of the ongoing demolition of the Main Plant Process Building at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP).
Workers with cleanup contractor CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV) used heavy equipment to safely pull the crane from the former nuclear reprocessing cell and lower it to the ground for packaging.
EM West Valley Project Management Assistant Director Stephen Bousquet commended the team for its work.
“The CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley team used lessons learned to safely remove this large piece of equipment, while reducing employee exposure to job-related hazards. They put their collective knowledge into practice. Their safe and compliant removal of the crane is another important step in the ongoing demolition of the Main Plant,” said Bousquet.
The bridge crane is safely placed on the ground at the West Valley Demonstration Project, where it will be reduced in size, packaged and shipped offsite for disposal.
The crane was equipped with one 13-ton hoist; two 2-ton hoists; and a power-actuated robotic arm for remote work. It was used inside the Chemical Process Cell during fuel reprocessing operations. After work was completed in that cell, the crane was moved to the Crane Room to prevent contamination, a move that also shields workers from a high-dose area to perform maintenance in a low-dose area.
CHBWV President Jason Casper said his employees continue to perform work in a controlled and deliberate manner to ensure safety.
“This and other work at the West Valley Demonstration Project only happens because of the skills and commitment of our employees to complete work in a safe and compliant manner,” said Casper. “This work, safely performed, benefits the ongoing cleanup mission at West Valley and in the complex.”
The bridge crane will be reduced in size, packaged and shipped offsite for disposal.
-Contributor: Joseph Pillittere
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