LANL Electrical Systems Were being Probed Before Burning Accident
By Journal North Staff
PUBLISHED: Friday, May 8, 2015 at 6:00 pm
The Department of Energy had already launched an investigation into the electrical systems at Los Alamos National Laboratory before a May 3 accident at an electrical substation that left one worker burned and seriously injured, according to a report.
A Friday article in the Weapons Complex Monitor, which covers the nation’s nuclear weapons facilities, says National Nuclear Security Administration Los Alamos Field Office spokeswoman Toni Chiri confirmed that the week before the accident, DOE’s Office of Enterprise Assessments Office of Enforcement issued a notice of investigation to the lab’s contract operator, Los Alamos National Security LLC.
The notice targeted “potential deficiencies” in implementation of “requirements for hazardous energy assessment and control and several related electrical incidents,” the Monitor reported.
Chiri did not return phone and email messages from the Journal Friday. A LANL spokesman provided this statement:
“The Laboratory has experienced electrical safety concerns in the recent past, including one case where an electrical worker contacted an unexpected electrical energy source above a ceiling. This resulted in a minor burn to the hand, and prompted a two-day electrical safety stand-down and two all-electrical-worker safety briefings, hosted by the Laboratory Director (Charles McMillan).”
“The Laboratory takes electrical safety very seriously, and is taking steps to strengthen safety culture. We will work closely and cooperatively with the NNSA Office of Enforcement on their hazardous energy assessment investigation. It would be premature to comment on the outcome.”
In addition to the one worker who was seriously injured in the May 3 accident, eight other employees were sent to the hospital and one was reported to have minor injuries.
The Monitor quoted Chiri as saying that DOE has convened an Accident Investigation Board to look into the May 3 event. “In addition to investigating the scene of the accident, the AIB will review relevant documentation, conduct necessary interview and evaluate similar historical events,” she said.
10 comments:
The DOE, as usual, too little, too late.
"It's not my fault."
Charlie "Awesome" McMillan
Pretty soon work-free safety zone!
Work was being conducted over the weekend. There were three identical looking ~ 12 kV substation electrical boxes. Worker opened the wrong box to clean which was "live". He sprayed conductive "cleaner", electrical discharge, worker's clothes caught on fire. Another worker (a woman) was able to extinguish fire on him. Worker air lifted to Albuquerque with major burns to face and upper torso. Some issues related to whether the worker was an "unqualified" electrical worker or "lineman".
Anyone care to elaborate or clarify? This is what were told out at TA-55.
Isn't it ironical that the Agency (DOE/NNSA) responsible for this accident is "investigating" it's cause. Really? What a sham!
LANSLLNS employees don't want to be injured at the Labs, but they don't want to be fired for speaking up either. Until DOE addresses this "catch 22" contributing factor, expect more of the same. Sad.
"... Isn't it ironical that the Agency (DOE/NNSA) responsible for this accident is "investigating" it's cause. Really? What a sham!..."
It is more than ironic, it is continually harmful to employee safety that enablers of LANSLLNS conduct are allowed to review the results of their own construct.
"Was there an accident, what accident, can't happen, we are work free zone at LANL"
Charlie "GQ" McMillan
The coast is clear. The story has quickly died out.
Awesome!
- Charlie "Awesome" McMillan
hoffman electrical enclosures Schneider Electric enclosures offer one of the widest ranges of industrial boxes, wall mounting enclosures and floor standing enclosures.
Post a Comment