Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, the nation’s largest power producer, was undergoing its 17th refueling outage process in Unit 1 and was in need of services for various work on the unit’s cooling towers to be conducted both safely and efficiently.
Palo Verde Cooling Tower Renovation and Repairs
Challenge:
One of the primary challenges faced by contractors on the project was to complete work activities within the window applicable to individualized work scope.
Solution:
Lessons learned from previous cooling tower repair work has allowed for a more streamlined approach to complete tasks within the scope. Application of such improvements has reduced the time needed to complete work in two ways. One example of how lessons learned contributed to time reduction is by identifying more efficient methods of performing activities. The second time saving strategy was made possible through advances in equipment attachments and use.
The new hire process included much more than the issuing of employee handbooks and completion of paperwork. New employees were introduced to both the core values and expectations that are applied to every job. Job specific training enhanced the workers’ knowledge of duties they would have in the field. This training included classroom instruction, written examinations, and mock-up time.
Result:
Work activities during Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station’s 17th refueling outage in Unit 1 was completed within the 18-day window allotted. This project was, more importantly, performed without any recordable injuries or dropped items.
718
Tons of material removed
ZERO
Dropped Items
164,214
Fill material components removed and replaced
ZERO
Recordable injuries