February 2018

Follow-up Assessment of Progress on Actions Taken to Address Tank Vapor Concerns at the Hanford Site

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environment, Safety and Health Assessments, within the independent Office of Enterprise Assessments (EA), conducted an independent oversight assessment of progress on actions taken to address tank vapor concerns at the Hanford Tank Farm Site.  This follow-up assessment was conducted between September 25 and November 16, 2017, and focused on actions taken to address recommendations from the previous EA assessment, Office of Enterprise Assessments Follow-up Assessment of Progress on Actions Taken to Address Tank Vapor Concerns at the Hanford Site – January 2017.  

Overall, Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC (WRPS), has made progress in addressing the January 2017 EA assessment report recommendations.  WRPS has effectively implemented a number of the planned actions related to the EA recommendations, and success has been achieved in some areas.  However, much work remains to complete the suite of open tank vapor tasks, including integration of some key vapor issues and the associated logistical relationships, and the institutionalization of promising changes to improve the exchange of information regarding injury and illness reporting and case management.  A fully mature and effective vapors management program will require the full integration and implementation of key program areas including technology, industrial hygiene, medical, and communications.