The West Valley Demonstration Project
Office of Environmental Management
June 25, 2019
minute read time
WEST VALLEY, N.Y. – The West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) Site has saved money, improved safety, and increased efficiency by changing how it orders and provides personal protective clothing for the EM cleanup workforce.
EM and cleanup contractor CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV) worked with a vendor to create a “one-stop shop” for items such as gloves, coveralls, hats, belts and hoods. The arrangement is a first of a kind for an EM site.
CHBWV places an order and the vendor loads a mobile trailer with items for delivery to WVDP, where the trailer remains to supply clothing for future work activities.
“It’s encouraging that site personnel continuously work to identify solutions that can improve day-to-day operations and facilitate changes that will make the work environment more safe and efficient while at the same time uncovering cost-cutting opportunities,” said Jennifer Dundas, EM’s WVDP safety and site program team leader.
Cost savings from use of the trailer is about $2,000 per week. The initiative reduces the number of employees needed for ordering and distributing items to workers. Risk of injury decreases as warehouse workers spend less time offloading, stocking, and delivering items. And the trailer contains a six-month supply of items, eliminating weekly ordering and freight charges.
“As a cleanup site, our goal is to reduce legacy risks and the associated footprint,” said Cole Green, CHBWV’s demolition readiness manager. “The site’s warehouse is no exception, as it, too, has been reduced in size over the years. This new initiative creates more room, which increases our capabilities to store more items. In other words, we’ve made the warehouse bigger by thinking outside its four walls.”
Lessons learned from use of the trailer led to CHBWV to arrange for a different trailer with a side door for better access, lights, and racks for designated storage areas.
“This has had a trickle-down effect on how we stock basic necessities such as paper towels and tissues,” said Renea Call, CHBWV’s Warehouse Manager. “Previously we had to place orders every time we hit our set minimum quantity due to warehouse space limitations. Now, because this initiative allows more stock room in the warehouse, we can place larger orders, saving on volume and freight. It’s a win-win for the site and the taxpayers.”