During our many years of working in the sanitation industry, we have customized and converted our trailers to meet a variety of business needs. When it comes to construction and site management, decon trailers have played a huge role. We provide decon trailers for one main reason, to keep those who work on contaminated sites safe and healthy.
When we here about emergency situations, like toxin or chemical spills, we are the first to reach out and see how we can help. As news spread about the recent radioactive contamination at an Ohio middle school, we were glad they had the quick thinking to close the school and keep kids safe, but also thought about the workers who would be in charge of cleaning up the spill.
In cases when the job is to work in the same environment as these radioactive spills, it is a top priority that companies keep their employees - and the surrounding community - safe. Read the story about the contaminated school and how decon trailers can provide a solution for the many employees who will inevitably be exposed.
Radioactivity Detected
Zahn's Corner Middle School is located in Scioto Valley Local School District in Ohio. The school announced that it was closed last Monday after the district sent a letter to parents informing them that uranium was detected within the building and neptunium 237 was in the air outside the school.
USA Today reported a statement made bit the president of the district’s board, Brandon Wooldridge. "It is the position of the Board that any level of contamination on or near our school is unacceptable," The school grounds are within four miles of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, which is now in the process of decommissioning.
"Enriched Uranium and Neptunium are currently identified as contaminants of concern by the U.S. Department of Energy on the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant property," the board wrote. "We agree with the Pike County Health Department that the U.S. Department of Energy must take appropriate actions to ensure radiological contaminants are not being released from the site."
A series of studies and tests at the plant are continuing to be conducted to ensure that toxins are not being released from the site. We are glad that the district took the initiative to close the school and keep the children safe.
As workers continue to test the plant and begin the decommissioning process, it is crucial that the companies in charge of the project keep employees safe. That’s where decon trailers come in.
Safe Decontamination Process with Decon Trailers
In cases like these, when a harmful chemical comes in contact with humans, decon trailers allow those exposed to rid themselves of harmful layers in a way that is safe for the environment and themselves. Here’s how it works:
Step one: when a spill occurs, employees and others who have come in contact enter the back end of the decon trailer and are able to undress in a private environment. They leave their contaminated clothes in this private room for proper cleaning.
Step two: the exposed enter the next room, where showers are provided. They are able to wash themselves to ensure that any contaminated soot left on their bodies is properly cleaned off.
Step three: they then enter the clean room, where lockers with clean clothing and their belongings await. They exit the front end of the decon trailers ready to head home safe, clean, and concern free.
This concept has allowed employees who work on contaminated properties like the plant near Zahn’s Corner to stay safe, healthy, and ensure that toxins are not carried into the community. Our thoughts are with the middle school as they begin the decontamination process and we are here to assist with decon trailers when they are needed.
If you have a business or company that could benefit from having their own decon trailers, we are here to help! Contact us for more information on the purchasing process.
