Development and implementation of a site radiation protection program for a radioactive waste vitrification and RCRA clean closure project at the Savannah River Site

The purpose of this project was to implement radiological protection program at the M-Area Vendo Treatment Facility (VTF) at the Savannah River Site. The project is unique in that it incorporates a turnkey approach to operation and control of a single waste treatment facility at a DOE site. The Vendor Treatment Facility is a temporary installation in the M-Area of the Savannah River Site consisting of buildings 341-M and 341-8M and tanks 100-7, 100-8, and 100-10. The objective of the VTF is to convert approximately 660,000 gallons of uranium and nickel-contaminated sludge to a stable glass wasteform. The scope of the VTF project also includes RCRA clean closure of the tanks following removal of the sludge. Facility-specific radiological controls for the VTF were necessary to minimize safety and health risks to occupational workers, as well as members of the general public. The Radiation Protection Program (RPP) established radiological requirements for all VTF operations and support activities. The RPP was designed and implemented to support Westinghouse Savannah River Company's (WSRC) implementation of a radiological protection program as specified in WSRC Manual 5Q; the U.S. DOE Radiological Control Manual, DOE/EH-0256T; Occupational Radiation Protection, 10 CFR 835; and contractual commitments