A series of unrelated injuries at Savannah River Site prompted an unusual memo Thursday reminding all site workers to place more emphasis on safety.
"Fellow coworkers, I am concerned about the recent injuries that have occurred at the Savannah River Site," wrote manager Jeff Allison, in an e-mail to all employees. "I have asked the site management teams to develop plans to place an increased emphasis on worker safety."
Recent incidents have included a hot tap accident involving an acid spill in F-Area that sent several workers with minor burns to hospitals; a worker contamination incident in H Canyon; an arc flash incident with burn injuries to a worker in the D-Area powerhouse; and a severe hand injury that occurred during crane maintenance work at the Salt Waste Processing Facility construction site.
Those accidents, which all occurred since August, prompted Mr. Allison to announce a series of steps designed to enhance attention to safety.
"There are a number of ongoing and planned initiatives that will be focused on improving work planning, review, approval, and performance that will involve increased management field presence," he wrote. "Rolling timeouts and safety stand-downs are some of the expected actions in the coming weeks."
Reach Rob Pavey at (706) 863-6165, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
What has changed lately that would cause the rise in accidents...three things the state of economy, our national leadership, and the biggest problem SRNS. SRNS' desire to "show who's the boss" has created an atmosphere of fear throughout the company. Within the working ranks we are not considered to be of any value other than a modern day slave and we await the master's next demand or fear punishment. Everyone knows that the new SRNS president is nothing more that a "hatchet-man" and we all wonder who is next.
SRNS is here for the money, and the H___ with the workers.
SRNS only cares about spending money. The didn't create any new jobs with ARRA they just saved thier own people who were going to lose jobs through their mismanagment. DOE needs to get rid of SRNS and bring back WSR.
They cut jobs and then they expect the remaining ones to pick up the slack. One person can only do one person's worth of work.
I feel sure SRNS management does not want to get anybody hurt but they do have a way of coming down on those that have put in the blood, sweat and years in at SRS. Strange how WSRC did the work without all of these problems. I guess that's not the way it was done in Hanford. SRNS does have a way of bringing in a lot of HCE's (highly compensated employees) and not rewarding those that take all the blame when things go wrong. At least 99% of the employees are praying for a buy out package.
As one of people working at SRS under the ARRA program, I can tell you for a fact that they have hired just under 2000 people. Many of the people hired came in from out of state. Why? Because most of the local people either can't pass the entrance test, or can't pass the drug test. So you can blame public education and drug use for the problem. As to the safety issue, these 2000 folks have been hired since May 2009, and as such are unfamiliar with the type of work being done at SRS. To which, SRS is taking action. They are training and reenforcing their safety program to ensure that people that work out there go home in the same condition, or better, than when they came to work. SRS has several walking trails that were design by the U.S. Forest Service and SRS. So during lunch, one can walk the trails and get in better shape. SRS is a beautiful Federal post, and they try to keep it that way. Once everyone is trained, and is working in the positions they are hired for, they will be safe. The entire culture at SRS is directed to make sure everyone is safe. It just takes time with new employees.
Other than an act of God, accidents really aren't accidents. They happen for reasons. The number one cause is something is different or out of place, or someone is doing something that they don't normally do.
i know -- why dont they quit laying off the experienced workers and hiring non experienced..... that place is an accident waiting to happen !! AND IT WILL !!
poor-enough---- are you kidding -- you must frequent the walking trails alot -- because the grass around the sidwalks to the buildings get 2 feet high. Beautiful its not !!
I work in an office trailer and my restroom is a porta-potty, a little blue one, but believe it or not, I've worked at worse Government facilities. The grass does get tall, but then you have to consider that they have about 30 out of 300 square MILES to mow. As far as an accident waiting to happen, you're right, an accident is an act of God, what they are seeing are errors made by personnel, some experienced, some not. For a lot of them, this is the first industrial site they've ever worked on. Things will get better.
speaking of bringing in "new" employees under the ARRA funds. They have brought back some retirees and are paying them over $180,000.00 per year. These are jobs that would be a stretch if they were making $60,000.00 before they retired. Reason why - two reasons 1) they are taking care of their buddies, and 2). they are desperate to spend the money.