EPA is continuing emergency removal actions at this site during the repackaging, transportation, and removal of flammable magnesium materials. Magnesium generators, who previously supplied Remacor with recyclable magnesium and magnesium alloys, are removing their materials from the site. Magnesium generators, Meridian and Intermet, have subcontractors conducting work at the site. ERRS contractor (Guardian) arrived onsite to perform lab-packing operations. SPX Contech, from Portage, MI, is coordinating with EPA for removal of their magnesium materials. EPA and PADEP officials continue to control access to the site in addition to coordinating the activities of the various generators.
Personnel On-Scene:
4/23/2007: EPA-1, START-2, URS-7, ERRS-6, Security-1 (24 hr)
4/24/2007: EPA-1, PADEP-1, START-2, ERRS-6, URS-6, Intermet-1, NIAPRO-11, PA American Water-1, Security-1 (24 hr)
Weather:
4/23/2007: Low of 52° F, high of 77° F. Mostly cloudy, gusty SW winds.
4/24/2007: Low of 49° F, high of 70° F. AM clouds, PM sun. NW winds 4 to 12 mph.
On 4/23/07, START attended the morning safety meeting held by Meridian’s subcontractor, URS. URS repackaged magnesium material from super sacks into drums. A total of 57 full-size, 1 three-quarter-size, and 2 half-size super sacks were repackaged into 260 drums. URS loaded two trucks from Autumn Industries to be transported to Magpro facility in Camden, Tennessee. Each truck contained 208 drums (36,400 lbs). START utilized a pDR (personal DataRam) unit to conduct air monitoring for particulates in the repackaging area. The average reading for the workday was 0.114 mg/m3, and the maximum Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) was 0.268 mg/m3. OSHA’s PEL for total particulates is 15 mg/m3.
ERRS contractor (Guardian) arrived onsite to perform lab-packing operations from Building 7. OSC Downie, PADEP Hoffman, START, and Guardian performed a site walk-through to familiarize all personnel with the Site and to examine the laboratories where lab-packing will occur. The laboratory located on the first floor had various laboratory equipment and chemicals left out and strewn about haphazardly. The laboratory located upstairs contained analytical equipment as well as some containerized chemicals. A laboratory storage area was present adjacent to the upstairs laboratory and above the office area of Building 7. A large number of containers were present in the laboratory storage area. Many of the containers had been compromised and the contents had been spilled onto the floor. The roof above the laboratory storage area had numerous leaks and had water pooled on the floor.
START assisted as needed, conducted written and photographic documentation, and monitored activities conducted on site.
On 4/24/07, START attended the morning safety meeting held by URS. URS continued to repackage magnesium material from super sacks into drums. A total of 25 full-size, and 11 half-size super sacks were repackaged into 172 drums. URS transported 51 full-size and 6 half-size super sacks from Building 2 to Building 7 where the super sacks will be repackaged. START utilized a pDR air monitoring unit to conduct air monitoring for particulates in the repackaging area. The average reading for the workday was 0.030 mg/m3, and the maximum Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) was 0.148 mg/m3.
Intermet and their subcontractor, Niagara Processing Technology, LLC (NIAPRO), arrived onsite to begin the removal operation of Intermet’s magnesium material. NIAPRO had 7 subcontractors (Hudson and MHF-LS) onsite and provided them with health and safety training and an overview of their scope of work. NIAPRO performed a site walkthrough and used an orange spray-paint mark to indicate the location of all Intermet’s drums. In addition, the location of each drum area was recorded using a GPS unit and a photograph was taken. Equipment and supplies were delivered to the Site. NIAPRO agreed to use the pavement area at the southeast corner of Building 9 to perform their work operations. Inside Building 9, an approximate 6x6 foot section inside a bay-door was marked and set aside to use during rainy weather. As per the NIAPRO work plan, each drum was inspected to ensure the physical condition of the drum, the bung, and the pressure relief valve. If any of these features were inadequate then the material would be repackaged into a different drum, or a new bung fitted into the drum if the bung or pressure relief valve was damaged. In addition, the contents of each drum was inspected. The drums were segregated into 3 different types of material (oily/sandy scrap=OSS, oily scrap=OS, and oily turnings=OT). The OSS and OS material was scheduled to be transported to Bellvue, Ohio, and the OT material to NIAPRO’s facility in Niagara, NY. Proper labels were placed onto each drum, and then the pallets of drums were placed into areas awaiting disposal.
ERRS began to prepare the lab storage area for lab packing operations. ERRS cleaned out a sump to use in controlling ponded water in Building 7.
PADEP Hoffman arrived onsite to assist in management of site activities.
START continued to conduct written and photographic documentation of activities conducted on site. START coordinated with PADEP Wozniak regarding the planned overflight of the Site. START traveled to the planned meeting area to await the helicopter pickup to take aerial photographs of the Site. However, PADEP called and notified START that the helicopter was unable to land to pickup START due to the helicopter pilot being diverted elsewhere. PADEP was able to ride in the helicopter and take aerial photographs of the Site.
Meridian (generator) will continue to have their subcontractor, URS, repackage and dispose their magnesium material from the site.
Intermet (generator) will continue to have their subcontractor, NIAPRO, inspect, segregate, and dispose their magnesium material from the site.
SPX Contech (generator) will submit a workplan/health and safety plan to EPA for the handling and removal of their drums from the site.
EPA will continue to coordinate with magnesium waste generators for the safe and appropriate removal of the material from the site.
EPA will continue to coordinate with all appropriate local, state, and federal agencies.
|
