Training for workers who will be entering the toxic areas of the Blue Grass plant for maintenance or other duties moved from the Training Center to the plant Jan. 15.

“Training in the plant adds a sense of realism because it’s the actual environment in which the participants will be working,” said Mike Kelly, training specialist, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “Now, participants will train in the exact locations where they will perform their duties. Additionally, conducting the training in the plant affords us the opportunity to exercise plant equipment and procedures.”

On-site training involves many components, including safety procedures, proper personal protective equipment inspection, airlock ingress and egress, heat stress, entry-abort criteria, Toxic Area emergencies and contingencies, Kelly said. It also involves learning how to maneuver through congested areas in a protective suit with an air hose and using tools necessary to perform job functions with heavily gloved hands.

“Our plan is to progress approximately 300 people through this training,” Kelly said. “It includes, operations, operations-support and maintenance personnel such as Instrumentation and Controls technicians. It gives them familiarity with their jobs and work environment during plant operations.”

This training program will wrap up before operations begin but will be provided on an as-needed basis as new workers are hired, Kelly said.