DOE To Open Enforcement Investigation Into Asbestos Concerns at Portsmouth D&D Project

In a move that could lead to financial penalties, Fluor-B&W Portsmouth, LLC, the D&D contractor for the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, is coming under investigation for potential violations of the Department of Energy’s asbestos requirements. The DOE Office of Enforcement informed FBP of its decision to open an investigation into “potential programmatic deficiencies” of the contractor’s implementation of DOE requirements in a July 11 letter made public yesterday. “The Office of Enforcement is responding to a request for investigation from the workforce with concerns regarding proper recognition, handling and disposal of asbestos containing materials and worker exposure monitoring,” wrote Office of Enforcement Director Steven Simonson. FBP declined to comment on the investigation yesterday.