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4 | SRNS TODAY | APRIL 2021TODAY | APRIL 2021
Equipment transfer

moves SRS closer

to plutonium removal

SRS employees recently completed the transfer of equipment used
for the inspection of drums holding radioactive material, from the
SRS Solid Waste Management Facility (SWMF) to the Site’s K Area
Criticality Control Overpack (CCO) Characterization and Storage
pad, which helps in the acceleration of the removal of plutonium Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) security badges have
from South Carolina. replaced the legacy SecurID RSA token shown, creating a cost avoidance greater
“The transfer of this equipment was no easy task,” said than $200,000 annually.
Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Materials Senior Technical
Advisor Maxcine Maxted. “Weighing over 70,000 pounds and Teleworking made easier
at 40 feet long, many departments had to be involved in the
safe transport. However, moving the equipment to K Area while saving money
means we can skip the step of sending CCO drums to SWMF for
characterization and shipping to Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP),
as has been required in the past. Now we can perform both of SRNS Information Technology (IT) has implemented the use of
those tasks right from K Area, making the process more efficient.” Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) security
badges to remotely access the Site’s virtual private computer network,
The equipment, a Real Time Radiography unit, utilizes an X-ray replacing the legacy SecurID RSA token and creating a cost avoidance
system to allow the contents of drums holding radioactive material greater than $200,000 annually.
to go through a non-destructive examination (NDE). This allows
for the materials to be inspected without operators having to This improvement enhanced security while simplifying the process
physically open the container. The transfer of this equipment is an by which individuals can obtain remote access to Site computing
important step in the construction of the K Area CCO pad. CCO resources. Streamlining of end user steps and associated process
drums were developed to safely package and transport specific labor savings, along with dramatic reductions in RSA token costs,
materials, like the downblended plutonium in K Area, WIPP in New created this significant financial benefit.
Mexico for final disposition. As the need for mass teleworking continues, to date, Computer
“WIPP has specific standards for the type of materials allowed in Accounts Management personnel have processed over 2,000
their underground repository,” said DOE-Savannah River Director of requests for telework capability. Each request typically required 15
Waste Disposition Programs Division Sonitza Blanco. “The NDE is minutes to process, after which a user picked up their SecurID token,
performed under the certified Central Characterization Program, taking an average of 30 minutes to complete this task (including travel
which is managed by the personnel from the managing and time). In a review of this process, IT personnel found that removing the
operating contractor of WIPP, Nuclear Waste Partnership. It verifies need for tokens would save time while generating significant non-labor
and validates that the waste within each container matches the cost savings.
documentation provided by SRS and that it does not contain any Eliminating the use of tokens also removed the need to replace them
WIPP prohibited items.” in the near future as they failed or batteries died.
After the CCO has gone through the NDE process, it will go Numerous employees are considered telework-ready, and more than
through a non-destructive assay process to ensure materials are 4,200 employees use remote access resources on an average day.
within radioactive limits. After the examination and assay, the CCO
is then certified to ship to WIPP and subsequently loaded into a Additionally, use of HSPD-12 badges in place of tokens enhanced
larger sealed container before leaving K Area. security and scalability in the event of a hiring surge.
A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts all data employees send and
The CCO pad, still under construction, initially will add the receive while working remotely.
capacity to store over 3,800 CCO drums while awaiting shipment.
Construction is scheduled to be complete later in 2021. After it is Authentication via VPN is now automatically provided when a user
completed, DOE and Environmental Protection Agency regulatory obtains access to the SRS network domain.
reviews will be conducted prior to WIPP authorizing the first “This unique form of cost savings, while increasing the ease of
shipment planned in 2022. teleworking, represents yet another example of how our SRNS
Along with the CCO pad construction, K Area has also undergone workforce is continually seeking creative and cost effective solutions
extensive facility modifications and equipment upgrades to perform to the problems presented by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Norm
plutonium downblend more efficiently. Powell, Senior Vice President, SRNS Business Services.