Soil Engineering Commended for "Sterling Efforts" At Sellafield

Soil Engineering have recently completed an intrusive ground investigation within the “Separation Area” at Sellafield under controlled area working procedures. The works was completed for Sellafield Limited under the Amec Framework Agreement and comprised boreholes formed to a maximum depth of 12.50m using 12, 10 and 8” diameter temporary casings and tools, with the installation of environmental seals to prevent the downward migration of any potential contamination. Vibration monitoring was also undertaken throughout the operation demonstrating negligible drilling effects. The investigation was undertaken to install groundwater monitoring points to provide information on the groundwater regime to the North and West of a key building.

Sellafield Limited’s Project Manager Steve Carruthers said of Soil Engineering’s work; “A very big thanks to you all for the sterling efforts and contribution to the achievement in completing the first two boreholes safely and ahead of target. Your achievement of this target should not be underestimated. Not so long ago it was very difficult to make any case to do anything to the west mast park slab, however you have all contributed to the successful completion of drilling two 10meter deep boreholes into a virtually untouchable base slab. It has taken just 69 days from the commencement of the PMP (Plant Modification Proposal) in May to the removal of the drilling rig on the 16th August, an excellent achievement. Well done.”

Soil Engineering were required to propose suitably detailed method statements and risk assessments for the safe completion of the works. Drilling Crews and Managing Site Engineer were required to undergo additional measures and training to work in the Separation Area; this included undergoing training for the wearing and working in PVC suits and full respirator systems.

The work exposure limits were controlled to a maximum of 4 hours and Soil Engineering elected to undertake the works using 2 x 2 man crews splitting the daily shift to 4 hours each. The Site Engineer split his 4 hour exposure time over the full 8 hour shift.

All Health Physics Monitoring was undertaken by radiation monitor personnel to a regime determined by the RPA (Radiation Protection Adviser) provided by Sellafield Limited.

Amec Senior Engineer, Mark Fisher said of the project “this is obviously a highly important project for SL and Amec so please convey our thanks to the lads involved and keep up the good safe work until the end of the project.”

Soil Engineering are set to return to Sellafield before the end of the year to complete Phase II of the project.

Published: 15/10/2010