A contractor’s program manager was banned from Plant Vogtle after refusing orders to make procedural changes at the construction site of nuclear units 3 and 4.
The disclosure by Southern Nuclear was made Thursday in an event notification filing with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which requires such reporting whenever there is “an intentional act that casts doubt on the integrity of the fitness for duty program” at nuclear sites.
This report is typical of the nuclear industry. They hid the radiation that fell on us from japan last march. Not unt this month have they published their radiation measurements on the USGS website. USGS reports large radiation fallout in most of USA. 2 days ago the weather underground and college of Dupage weather satellites showed and listed smoke cover at Vogtle/SRS nuclear. Also the Univ. South Carolina South Carolina Seismic Network(scsn) has a seismic monitor near SRS that is literally off the chart and covered in ink. I ask the local press now to step up to the plate and get to the bottom of this. If the press does not monitor the nuclear emergencies then what, in God's name, do we need them for?
"You can't tell me what to do," exclaimed the former Vogtle worker.
Best to be safe and assume that radiation is being released, even if it is not. The NRC/EPA/USGS did not release the high radiation levels detected in The USA until a year after Fukushima rained down on North America. Here's a site that lists radiation countermeasures: http://www.njcphp.org/legacy/drup/sites/default/files/Rad_Countermeasure...
Well, smdahl, "Fitness for Duty Program" and "Fukushima" both start with the letter F, but I don't think that this story is justification for taking iodine pills.
We don't know what procedural changes were requested, nor is the "Contractor" identified.
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/event-status/event/2012/20...
"On March 01, 2012, it was discovered that a [Contractor] program manager intentionally failed to implement a procedure change as instructed by management. An initial investigation has determined that interim compensatory actions were in place prior to this pending procedural change. The involved manager's access authorization has been revoked. Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. (SNC) was notified by [the Contractor] of this discovery on March 06, 2012 at 19:00 EST."
Does smdahl understand that what he advocates can kill people? Apparently not! Posts such as those not only create misinformation but can cause problems. That person would be arrested for yelling "Fire" in a crowded room. Especially, when they have their own agenda!!
I'd like to see a different attitude with federal inspectors. One where they work with the people in a nonbeligerent way and instruct instead of threaten and punish. I'm sure this could have been handled in a way to satisfy all without making the people there seem like uncaring individuals.
The decision to ban was not made by the NRC. That decision was made by company officials at Vogtle. The NRC will only ban someone once the NRC has identified a deliberate act to violate a regulation or law and has taken the individual through a hearing process like going to court. For those that don't understand what a fitness for duty program is...this is for the most part a drug and alcohol testing program to make sure someone isn't under the influence while working at a nuclear plant to make sure public safety and health is protected. There are other elements of the program as well, such as not working too many hours or days in a row so workers aren't tired and checks for mental health as well.
ColdBeerBoiledPeanuts: Have you seen the radiation fallout monitor results from the United States Geological Survey? How is telling people to be prepared and to look at radiation counter measures similar to "yelling fire in a crowded room"? The preponderance of evidence suggests, no PROVES, that the nuclear industry had hidden every single nuclear accident that has every occurred as long as possible. Do you know where USA's largest nuclear meltdown occurred? Of course not, it was covered up for 4 decades. It was In the Los Angeles area Santa Susana Nuclear Plant in 1959. That area is still contaminated today and cleanup is ongoing. If you don't believe me google it. It's on the NRC site and wikipedia, if you know about it you can find it; if not, you're out of luck. Don't tell me about yelling fire until you learn some of the Nuclear industry's dirty history.
Here's a link to the earthquake/seismic monitor near the SRS nuclear facility (right next to Vogtle). Please check it. http://eeyore.seis.sc.edu/earthworm/heli/HAW_HHZ_CO_00.2012030600.gif
NRC Fitness For Duty (FFD)
http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/ops-experience/fitness-for-duty.html
Everyone must take a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Evaluation. They retain a licensed Psychologist on call or on staff (where is Counselor Troi when you need her?).
http://psychology.about.com/od/psychologicaltesting/a/mmpi.htm
FFD also deals with Fatigue. Working too many hours and then driving 50 miles to Augusta or Aiken can be a daunting task.
Credit Reports are taken, family and friends are surveyed. It is worse than a Q Clearance at SRS.
Any individual should not take any supplement or Potassium Iodide without some rational reason for doing so.
Again, we don't know the specifics of this incident.
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