SITE VISIT REPORT
Licence Holder/Applicant
CSIRO
RELEASED
Licence/Application No
S0013
File No
R18/07144
Date of visit
31 May 2018
BY ARPANSA
Site visited
Woomera Waste Store
Purpose
Observe and monitor waste characterisation progress
LH/applicant’s
Neil Webster
representatives
UNDER
Neil provided an overview of what activities were to be conducted, consistent with
Discussion
the approved Regulation 51 application.
It was observed that thirty-two (32) passive radon monitors were installed inside the
FOI
waste store at three (3) various drum heights. Additional work was performed on
improving the hangar access bays and door rails. Two (2) active radon monitoring
systems were also installed – one inside and one outside. A single active radon monitor
FEBRUARY
was also installed at a distance from the waste store. These detectors were installed
by ANSTO.
Gamma ray imaging technology was tested on the waste drums which log radionuclide
spectra and provides a digital image overall over any hotspots. This testing was
performed by ANSTO.
Outcomes/Actions
CSIRO’s B61 robotics development team also deployed a long thin remotely piloted
2019
vehicle (RPV) to test the ability to traverse the suite of pallets holding drums. It was
observed that a maximum distance of 6m depth was achieved with dose-rate
measurements and video imaging being available. CSIRO indicated that the pilot trial
would allow them to refine the design of the robot to conduct further works, including:
A thinner design to negotiate snapped or warped pallet planks.
A reversing camera to assist with reverse movements.
Improve rubber tracks to provided higher confidence in motion.
REG-INS-FORM-242B v6.1
March 2017
Page 1 of 2
All passive and active monitors will have their data periodically retrieved by Defence
personnel in order to comply with site radio-frequency emissions requirements.
Site concrete improvements will commence shortly to improve overall access and
movement around the waste store.
Officer completing report
Loch Castle
RELEASED
Officer checking report
Garth Sheehy
Date of report
07 JUNE 2018
BY
ARPANSA
UNDER
FOI
FEBRUARY
2019
REG-INS-FORM-242B v6.1
March 2017
Page 2 of 2
