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Actions Taken to Improve Safety at Tenn. Plant

Oct. 13, 2000

DOE issued a final report outlining several actions to\r\nimprove worker safety and health at the department's East Tennessee Technology Park \r\nin Oak Ridge, Tenn.

EHS Today Staff

The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a final report outlining several actions to improve worker safety and health as well as public and environmental protection at the department''s East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

The report is based on a six-month investigation of past and current practices at the former K-25 site that may have affected the environment and the safety and health of workers and the public.

"Our investigations of the environmental, safety and health practices at the former K-25 site during World War II and the Cold War have helped identify steps we can take to correct the wrongs of the past," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of energy for environment, safety and health. "While this report confirms that workers and the public are not at immediate risk, there are additional actions the department needs to take to further promote the safety and health of workers and the public at the ETTP."

The report concluded that there are no immediate risks to worker or public health, either on or off site, from current operations in DOE-controlled areas of the plant but found problems in several areas requiring attention.

The investigation indicated specific weaknesses in programs for monitoring the sources and extent of groundwater contamination, monitoring site airborne emissions, protecting workers from radiation hazards and from hazards of energized systems and ensuring that occupational safety and health practices are effective.

The report also found that significant improvements have been made over the last several years in decontaminating former manufacturing facilities and shipping legacy waste off-site for disposal. It also said the site is in compliance with EPA and state requirements.

The report is the third in a series of three investigations of the department''s three gaseous diffusion plants that began in August 1999 with a review of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

A similar report on the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant was completed last May.

Copies of the two-volume report are available at www.tis.eh.doe.gov/oversight/reviews/ettp/.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.