A waste disposition operator at EM's West Valley Demonstration Project applies spray foam to a waste box to stabilize the contents and fill void space before the container is shipped offsite for disposal.

WEST VALLEY, N.Y.EM’s West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) contractor CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV) and its subcontractors achieved this month 2 million safe work hours without a lost-time accident over the past 30 months.

   “Safety is our number one priority at the project”, CHBWV President and General Manager Jeff Bradford said. “We encourage our workforce to maintain a questioning attitude and to watch out for the safety of their co-workers each and every day. Reaching this important milestone is proof that we take safety seriously.”

   WVDP is an environmental cleanup and waste management project located about 35 miles south of Buffalo, N.Y. EM conducts the project in cooperation with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

   EM selected CHBWV in August 2011 to perform the site’s cleanup activities. The CHBWV team is comprised of CH2M HILL, BWXT Technical Services Group, and Environmental Chemical Corporation.  

   “I am constantly impressed with our team,” EM’s WVDP Director Bryan Bower said. “This team is committed to delivering results while preserving worker safety as our shared value.”

   Since the start of its contract, CHBWV has deactivated 94 percent of the site’s Vitrification Facility and 49 percent of the Main Process Plant Building, constructed an interim onsite storage pad, relocated 35 of 275 high-level waste canisters to the storage pad, shipped nearly 50 percent of all legacy waste, and completed demolition of 14 out of 47 additional facilities — performing the work safely and compliantly.