WORKER SAFETY AND HEALTH PRACTICES AT GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANTS IN THE DOE COMPLEX:

1. WORKER SAFETY AND HEALTH PRACTICES AT • GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANTS IN THE DOE COMPLEX: • RESULTS OF HISTORICAL INVESTIGATION (1999-2000) Ronald Stolberg Office of ES&H Evaluations Office of Independent ES&H Oversight AIHCE Conference June 6, 2001

2. Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practices at Gaseous Diffusion Plants • Overview • Background and Scope of the Investigation • GDP Processes, Description, and Operations • Historical Conditions and Practices • Radiological, Physical, and Chemical Hazards • Worker Safety and Health Programs • Epidemiology and Other Health Studies • Investigation Results • Administration Actions/Worker Compensation

3. Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practices at Gaseous Diffusion Plants • Background and Scope of Investigation • Historical period from GDP construction (early 1940s) until GDPs privatized (late 1990s) • Documented working conditions and hazards • Identified applicable standards and requirements • Determined effectiveness of management policies • Investigation Process - Reviewed historical documents, interviewed workers, toured facilities

4. Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practices at Gaseous Diffusion Plants • GDP Processes, Description, and Operation • GDPs established to provide enriched uranium for nuclear weapons, nuclear propulsion and commercial power plants • Involves increasing proportion of U-235 through repeated application of series of separation stages (or cascades) • GPD process similar at Oak Ridge, TN; Paducah, KY; and Portsmouth, OH • First GDP Plant at K-25 Site in Oak Ridge, TN; began operating in 1945 • Site also contained barrier manufacturing plant

5. Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practices at Gaseous Diffusion Plants • Historical Conditions and Practices • 1940s and 1950s - emphasis was on production of material to support War effort and Cold War • Security conscious environment • Workers discouraged from raising concerns • Self-regulating environment • Hazard communication, exposure monitoring, and medical surveillance programs minimal

6. Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practices at Gaseous Diffusion Plants Radiological, Physical, and Chemical Hazards • Radiological hazards included uranium, uranium decay products, transuranic elements, and fission products • Widespread belief that uranium not significant health hazard • Risks include exposure to lung, kidney, and bone • Consensus standards not rigorously enforced at GDP sites

7. Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practices at Gaseous Diffusion Plants • Radiological, Physical, and Chemical Hazards • Physical conditions were harsh • Temperatures could range from 84-96 degrees Fahrenheit • Noise level measured at 103 to 108 decibels • Workers potentially exposed to a wide variety of chemical compounds including • Hydrofluoric acid, uranyl fluoride, fluorine, freon, and asbestos • Mercury in instruments and gauges • Nickel dust and fumes from welding operations and other activities • Methyl chloroform, trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride and other degreasing agents

8. Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practices at Gaseous Diffusion Plants • Worker Safety and Health Programs • Programs in industrial safety, industrial hygiene, health physics, and medical; staffing was minimal • Safety and health organization provided awareness information and provided limited surveys • In 1940s and 1950s, hazards sampled included dust, chemicals, noise, and heat • In 1950s, handbook on criticality safety, personal protective equipment, and chemical burns published • In 1972, high priority industrial hygiene problems identified (noise, heat stress, laboratory hood ventilation, asbestos, beryllium, and organic solvents)

9. Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practices at Gaseous Diffusion Plants • Epidemiology and Other Health Studies • In October 1996, Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union initiated an assessment to establish need for medical surveillance program for former GDP workers • Study indicated that GDP workers had significant exposure to pulmonary, bladder, renal, neuro, and hepatotoxins; and noise and heat • Epidemiologic studies demonstrate excess risk for -- bladder cancer, chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, asbestosis, chronic nephritis, and bone cancer • Assessment findings indicated need for targeted medical surveillance program

10. Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practices at Gaseous Diffusion Plants • Investigation Results • National defense issues, economic conditions, and industrial practices influenced working conditions • Production priorities took precedence over environment, safety, and health considerations • Professional safety and health staff were minimal, hazards not always communicated, and controls often inadequate • Unnecessary exposures resulted • Prior to 1970s, ES&H regulations and oversight were minimal

11. Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practices at Gaseous Diffusion Plants • Administration Actions/Worker Compensation • Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act passed October 2000 (Bill 5408, Title XXXVI) • Benefits to covered workers include lump sum payment of $150,000 and payment of future medical benefits associated with disease • Covers workers with beryllium disease, certain cancers, and silicosis • The Department of Energy is in the process of opening thirteen worker advocacy offices across the country

12. Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practices at Gaseous Diffusion Plants • Administration Actions/Worker Compensation • Gaseous Diffusion Plant Investigation Reports are available at http://tis.eh.doe.gov/oversight/reports • Contact DOE Office of Worker Advocacy at 1-877-477-9756 for information and see http://www.eh.doe.gov/benefits for a copy of legislation