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Skip handler moves for the first time in over 10 years
Sellafield Ltd has taken an important step forward for future retrievals when the First Generation Magnox Storage Ponds specially designed crane, called a skip handler machine was successfully moved under its own power for the first time in over 10 years.
Mark Steele, (NDA) Deputy Head of Programme for Sellafield said: "Getting to a position where work can begin on retrieving waste from facilities such as the Magnox Fuel Storage Pond are key to successfully delivering risk and hazard reduction. Its complex and challenging work and I'm pleased to see progress being made."
This success follows the completion of a complex refurbishment program. Firstly a series of tests were carried out on the capability and condition of the system, to better understand and confirm the engineering status before starting the refurbishment phase.
Secondly, a specialist team was established to improve and accelerate the program and included a wide range of the different skills needed to deliver a major project like this.
Finally, after being brought up to modern day safety and operational standards the next challenge is to fit a new mast and tooling in order to significantly reduce the dose burden from retrievals, this will also accelerate the overall decommissioning campaign.
