The Potential “Easter Egg” – Decommissioning a Legacy Facility

Title: The Potential “Easter Egg” – Decommissioning a Legacy Facility. When dismantling aging process Y-12 buildings and systems that had once been used for Uranium processing, it is important to expect, anticipate, and plan for the unexpected or the “Easter Egg.” Planning becomes paramount in the design of the work that will take place. One needs to consider the environmental concerns and protection of our natural resources, the health and safety of our work forces, as well as the security and accountability of the materials that once coursed through the veins of the body of these systems. These materials that once were present may have left residual traces of their presence or even trapped quantities’ of material that once were isolated and protected by a sealed system. Due to the inevitable breach of a process system as part of the demolition, Y-12 needed to plan safeguards and controls for the unexpected. Examples of the controls included the establishment of a special security plan that methodically provided actions to be implemented when “Easter eggs” were discovered. This included how to control the material during decommissioning and until the material is secure. Previous industry and lessons learned on site were continually evaluated during the process. As a result of the methodical approach, Y-12 decommissioned systems while maintaining the integrity of the safeguards program.