Independent Technical Review Report: Hanford Operations. Evaluating Operational Issues at the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility at Hanford.

摘要

This report describes the findings of an independent technical review (ITR) team that investigated operational irregularities at the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility (ERDF) at Hanford. These irregularities included (i) failure to recognize that pumps for the leachate collection system were not functioning for an extended period and (ii) falsification of compaction data by technicians responsible for monitoring waste placement in the ERDF. Other issues related to compaction of the waste were also considered by the ITR team. The ITR team concluded that Washington Closure Hanford (WCH) and Stoller Corporation (Stoller) identified key issues that led to falsification of the compaction data and have proposed a management plan that will greatly reduce the probability of data falsification henceforth. The level of oversight included in the management plan is sufficient to preclude independent third party compaction testing. The ITR team also concluded that the plan proposed by WCH and Stoller to manage leachate pumping will minimize the likelihood of unrecognized pumping system failures and excessive leachate depth in the ERDF. However, the ITR team also believes that the long-term effectiveness of these changes hinges on permanent staff being assigned direct oversight of these issues.