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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)
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      Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)


      Mission: The safe elimination of chemical weapons at Pueblo and Blue Grass by Sept. 30, 2023

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      Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP)

      BGCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond, Kentucky.

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      Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP)

      PCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado.

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Respiratory Protection Provides Safe Environment for Workforce, Visitors

Published: September 14, 2015 | Category: PCAPP News
On Aug. 25, training specialist Bret Peterson holds a Mine Safety Appliance at the plant’s training facility. This type of mask will be used by employees who make toxic area entries at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

On Aug. 25, training specialist Bret Peterson holds a Mine Safety Appliance at the plant’s training facility. This type of mask will be used by employees who make toxic area entries at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

There are six types of masks issued at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP), with each mask serving a different function. “Once the plant is restricted to certified personnel, employees who are allowed to move unescorted throughout the facility under the two person rule will carry the M40A1 mask,” said Jim Brewer, assistant operations manager. He said other employees and visitors who are permitted access to areas of the plant outside of the exclusion area will carry the Emergency Powered Air Purifying Respirator. “Not all employees will be issued a mask,” Brewer explained. He said employees who work outside of the Agent Alarm Mask Zone, such as those who work in the Personnel Support Building or Medical Facility, will not have to carry a mask.

EPAPRM40A1Half FaceMSA with SCBAMSA with EBAMSA UltraTwinNorth
pu_epapr_mask_300Emergency Powered Air Purifying Respirator masks will be worn by vendors and visitors who will enter the Agent Alarm Masking Zone. It is a one-time use mask that can be worn up to five hours and is approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
pu_m40a1_slung_300

The Army air purifying respirator mask, known as the M40A1, is the most common mask at PCAPP. It is a chemical agent protective mask. Referred to as a “slung”, it is the mask most employees will carry once the plant is operational. It is also the mask toxic area entrants will pack as a backup to their primary masks.

pu_half_face_300

The Half Face Air Purifying Respirator (APR) mask will be issued to employees working in areas where contaminants may be in the air, but do not require full face protection. The Half Face APR is worn with safety glasses for individuals performing work with contaminants that cannot be absorbed through the skin.

For example, a worker may wear this type of mask to filter out dusts and aerosols or a welder grinding metal may require foam-lined safety glasses and a face shield but not a full face mask with a respirator.

pu_msa_scba_300

The Mine Safety Appliance (MSA) full-face supplied air respirator mask is used with different types of air supplies. Here it is attached to a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). The SCBA Ultravue is issued to personnel who will make toxic area entries, including members of the Emergency Response Team, Entry Support Area personnel, operators and their support team and maintenance workers.

pu_msa_eba_300

The MSA mask, attached to an Emergency Breathing Apparatus (EBA). This combination is worn by employees who make toxic area entries wearing the Demilitarization Protective Ensemble. This mask receives supplied air via a hose. The EBA is a backup air supply.

pu_msa_ultratwin_300

Supplied air mask comes in two different styles—MSA UltraTwin and North. These masks are issued to Personal Protective Equipment technicians, maintenance workers, operations, operations support and provide respiratory protection from industrial hazards.

pu_north_300

The North is just like the MSA UltraTwin but is manufactured by a different company.

MOre PCAPP Safety Articles

  • After a chemical weapon is drained of agent and rinsed with high-pressure hot water, Agent Washwater Separator tanks collect fluid before sending it to Agent Neutralization Reactors to destroy the mustard agent. The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant has two tanks, providing the plant with redundancy when neutralizing agent.

    Backup Systems Allow for Safe Repairs

    Published: March 28, 2022
  • A Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant maintenance technician dons and escape breathing apparatus during backup rescue training exercises in 2020.

    Pueblo Plant Safety Rates Exceed Industry Standard

    Published: August 17, 2021
  • Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Entry Support Area tender Ezra Maldonado is outfitted with the Demilitarization Protective Ensemble prior to completion of the 10,000th DPE entry at PCAPP.

    Pueblo Plant Workers Achieve Safety Milestone

    Published: May 12, 2021
  • A Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant personal protective equipment technician dons a Powered Air Purifying Respirator hood during a PAPR training session.

    Repurposed Safety Equipment Used for Training

    Published: May 4, 2021
  • Toxic Material Handlers from the Pueblo Chemical Depot load a pallet of munitions onto a Modified Ammunition Vehicle, or MAV.

    Toxic Material Handlers Keep Up with Demand

    Published: April 6, 2021
  • Strict Protocols Keep Pueblo Plant Safe

    Strict Protocols Keep Pueblo Plant Safe

    Published: January 20, 2021
  • Plants Operate with Pandemic Precautions in Place

    Plants Operate with Pandemic Precautions in Place

    Published: December 17, 2020
  • Safety System at Pueblo Plant Receives Upgrade

    Safety System at Pueblo Plant Receives Upgrade

    Published: November 20, 2020
  • Plant Sets Best Three-Month Processing Record

    Plant Sets Best Three-Month Processing Record

    Published: October 7, 2020
  • Pueblo Plant Operating Under Final Hazardous Waste Permit

    Pueblo Plant Operating Under Final Hazardous Waste Permit

    Published: October 1, 2020
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Other Recent PCAPP News

  • Static Detonation Chamber Trial Testing Concludes

    Static Detonation Chamber Trial Testing Concludes

    May 13, 2022
  • Colorado Commission Welcomes New Member

    Colorado Commission Welcomes New Member

    May 4, 2022
  • Backup Systems Allow for Safe Repairs

    Backup Systems Allow for Safe Repairs

    March 28, 2022
  • Color Coding Boosts Chemical Weapon Destruction

    Color Coding Boosts Chemical Weapon Destruction

    March 23, 2022
  • Plant Closely Monitors Permit Requirements

    Plant Closely Monitors Permit Requirements

    February 24, 2022

PCAPP Safety Videos

  • PCAPP Safety: Written in the Stars

    PCAPP Safety: Written in the Stars

    June 8, 2015
  • Pueblo Plant Operational Readiness Review

    Pueblo Plant Operational Readiness Review

    February 25, 2014
  • Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Hazard School Board

    Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Hazard School Board

    August 16, 2013
  • PCAPP and the Community Share in National Safety Award

    PCAPP and the Community Share in National Safety Award

    March 31, 2009

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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)