Pumpcoat goes Nuclear

Pre-job safety orientation is nothing new in the world of contracting but when it involves working at a Nuclear Facility, it goes to a whole new level. Pumpcoat had gotten the project of coating the interior of two water tanks at a Nuclear Power plant in Maryland. Prior to the project beginning, our field service team traveled to their site for
the classes. It was 2 weeks of several hours each day of coursework for PCI’s workers, in order to learn the ins and outs of safety and what was allowed on a Nuclear site. Our office staff sent the paperwork regarding physicals, fit testing, background checks, PCI’s Safety Program and other protocol to their safety officer. Lists of tools and equipment had to be approved of before being allowed on site. The actual type of grit and epoxy also had to be pre-approved, as did the type of sandblasting suit and other PPE.
In the end, PCI Contractors passed the muster and were able to mobilize to site to work on the tanks.

During the project, each worker needed to sign in and go through a daily ‘tailgate’ meeting. Tailgate meetings are ones that PCI does as part of every service project, The workers discuss the possible safety issues, any site hazards and what is to be accomplished during the course of the day. They make sure their safety gear is properly functioning, etc. At the Nuclear facility, there were additional protocol, such as signing in and out of the work area, accounting for the tools that were brought into the area, and other things.

The tanks were potable Fire and Water storage tanks. As part of the project scope, PCI arranged for portable tanks to be brought in to store water. (The tanks that were being coated was the facility’s normal fire emergency supply). Working on one tank at a time, Each tank was grit blasted. Parts of the tanks interior were treated for corrosion with Arcor’s EE-95 paste grade material. Larger holes were plugged and blended into the epoxy for seamlessness. Top coats were applied of Arcor S-20, an NSF epoxy coating, which is approved for potable water. Spent grit was removed and disposed of in an environmentally aware manner. PCI Contractors were able to do the job efficiently and to the customer’s satisfaction. PCI Contractors is now in its 17th year of servicing customers. We are problem solvers and get the job done.