Maintenance worker suits up for 200th time

HERMISTON -- Mike Morehead works in a dangerous environment, and he's faced that danger more than anyone else doing his job at the Umatilla Chemical Depot.

Morehead, 63, is a maintenance worker at the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility. Before performing his tasks, he must go through a rigorous procedure that includes putting on breathing apparatus and a disposable white suit to protect him from the toxic environment.

On Sept. 3, Morehead entered the demilitarization plant suited up for the 200th time.

While depot officials say other maintenance workers are nearing that number of entries, the Pilot Rock resident was the first to achieve it.

"It's real bulky," he said of the suit. "I always put on an ice vest first."

Morehead and the other maintenance workers who go into toxic areas must pass a health screening before suiting up.

"Your hydration level, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and general overall health are gone over before you are allowed to make the entry," he said.

It takes about 20 minutes for a handler to help the maintenance workers suit up. After dressing, there are more checks, including stops in two airlocks before entering a toxic area. In one, the workers switch air hoses, attaching one that has been in the toxic environment. In the second, they check their air supply again.

"You want to make sure that sucker's working," Morehead said.

The Demilitarization Protective Ensemble, or DPE, protects workers head to toe from the toxic agents that may be present in the areas where they work. The demilitarization plant has several toxic areas, said Michael Fletcher, the depot's new public information officer.

The maintenance workers use the buddy system and are in constant communication with control room operators while they work.

"You are asked every 10 minutes how you are feeling," Morehead said, "and your heart rate is checked."

On his 200th entry, Morehead and his partner continued removing obsolete equipment from the plant. It was just another routine assignment, he said.

"The mask has a light in it to monitor the air supply at all times," he said. "You have to be careful of your air hoses. You don't want to get a kink in them."

The two workers are limited to two hours in the toxic area. When one team leaves, another is ready to enter and continue the job.

This story was originally published September 25, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Maintenance worker suits up for 200th time ."