Earlier this year, Salado Isolation Mining Contractors (SIMCO) assumed responsibility for management and operation of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), which plays an important national role in the nuclear cleanup work of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Located 33 miles southeast of Carlsbad, WIPP is the United States’ only deep geologic repository for transuranic waste. It provides permanent disposal in rooms mined out of an ancient salt formation more than 2,000 feet underground. The natural movement of the salt rock will permanently encapsulate the waste, safely isolating it from the environment. In operation since 1999, WIPP has accepted waste from 23 sites across the U.S. The waste is contaminated with plutonium and other human-made radioactive elements that are transuranic (above uranium in the periodic table). The waste has been accumulating since the 1940s as part of the nation’s nuclear defense program.
SIMCO’s mission is to provide safe and compliant characterization, transportation, and disposal of the United States’ defense transuranic waste, while protecting workers, the public, and the environment. SIMCO’s vision is to be the model of operational excellence and project management for the Department of Energy.
Core values of safety, quality, cost effectiveness, and productivity guide SIMCO’s approach to achieve excellence in operations at WIPP — for today and well into the future. Safety is at the forefront of all planning and work execution to ensure people, the community, and the environment are protected. Quality is embedded in all procedures and processes to ensure jobs are performed right the first time, allowing quick identification and resolution of issues. Work is performed to the highest standards of operational excellence and ethical standards so that taxpayer dollars are used wisely. Performance is measured by predictable outcomes and delivering success at WIPP and throughout the DOE complex.
SIMCO’s workforce, demonstrates a continuous commitment to its mission. Shifts are organized to ensure a constant presence of highly-trained and skilled workers. Multiple shifts conduct activities such as maintenance and waste handling and disposal, with uninterrupted health and safety monitoring, underscoring WIPP’s dedication to safeguarding both public and environmental well-being. WIPP’s safety culture, backed by ongoing training, stringent procedures, and diligent oversight, ensures the workforce operates with a strong emphasis on minimizing risks and maintaining the highest standards of safety.
In addition, SIMCO is committed to building trusted relationships with regional leaders and citizens through outstanding performance, honest and transparent communication, and active engagement with area communities. As such, SIMCO invests a portion of its annual profits in the two-county region. These funds support outreach, community and economic sustainability, charitable giving, and education initiatives that provide the greatest impact in the region. SIMCO strives to cultivate a culture of contributing time, expertise and funds to continue to build stronger communities where its workforce lives, works and plays.
With its dedication to safety, quality and community engagement, SIMCO aims to uphold excellence in managing and operating WIPP. Through continuous operation and a strong safety culture, WIPP’s workforce ensures the project continues to play its important national role. And as SIMCO invests in the region and establishes trusted relationships, it paves the way for a brighter, safer future for all.
ADVERTORIAL
