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. Intermet has suspended shipping material until further notice. SPX Contech will be repackaging the remainder of its material in preparation to ship it off site when weather will allow. Hitchcock Industries has been on site to identify their material they will begin removing it when the weather breaks.
EPA’s ERRS contractor Guardian Environmental Services, Inc. (GES) is reacting drums from building #2 to make the material inert for removal off site. PADEP is providing technical and oversight support at the site. EPA START contractor TechLaw is providing technical and administrative support to the EPA. EPA and PADEP officials continue to control access to the site in addition to coordinating the activities of the various generators.
Personnel On-Scene:
02/23/08 EPA-1, START-1,ERRS-8, Security-1 (24 hr)
02/25/08 PADEP-1,START-2, ERRS-8, Other-3, Security-1 (24 hr)
Weather:
02/23/08 Low of 23° F, high of 31° F. Clear, 0.00 inches of precipitation, wind ESE 3-9 mph.
02/25/08 Low of 21° F, high of 32° F. Overcast, 0.00 inches of precipitation, SSW 3-10 mph.
02/23/08
USEPA’s OSC Dennis Matlock was on site for oversight of activities and site entry. OSC Matlock demobilized.
ERRS contractor Guardian Environmental, Inc held its morning safety meeting and discussed the days planned activities, areas of concern and safety issues associated with the day’s activities. ERRS continues to react material from Building 2 in the reaction pit and accelerates the reaction by adding water. ERRS has reacted over 650 drums to date. The material being reacted is treated as highly hazardous because the exact contents of the drums are unknown. ERRS is taking extra precautions when working the material.
START assisted as needed and conducted written/photographic documentation. START demobilized.
02/25/08
PADEP Mariruth Hoffman mobilized to site to assist the EPA with oversight. PADEP Hoffman demobilized.
ERRS contractor Guardian Environmental, Inc held its morning safety meeting and discussed the days planned activities, areas of concern and safety issues associated with the day’s activities. ERRS continued to react material from Building 2 in the reaction pit to date ERRS has reacted 730 drums of material. ERRS was reacting material that continued to catch fire today, the material was believed to contain Calcium Carbide and is easily combustible when water is added. There were 4 fires in the pit today all contained inside of the pit.
START mobilized to site and assisted as needed and conducted written/photographic documentation.
No PRP activity is presently occurring on site. All PRP removal action has been suspended by the companies until inclement winter weather conditions subside and the weather allows safe resumption of activities.
National Machine Company plans to submit a work/safety plan to the EPA.
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 local, state, and federal agencies.
The drums located in Building 2 marked as residual waste are being reacted by ERRS. They are being treated as highly hazardous because the extent contents of the drums are not known.
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