Fluor-led Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) “generally met” Department of Energy requirements for site access and security badging, but an audit identified a gap involving substance abuse testing.
The DOE Office of Inspector General found that SRNS, which is the prime that manages and operates the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, generally complied with established security-badging requirements, according to a July 23 audit report.
The audit found, however, that certain employees were permitted to receive Local Site-Specific Only badges before completing required substance abuse testing. Employees could sign forms acknowledging that they would report to the onsite medical office for testing immediately after receiving their badges.
The process did not require medical personnel to notify the Personnel Security Section if an employee failed to complete the testing. Personnel Security staff also did not follow up to verify that testing was completed, the OIG said.
The practice deviated from established requirements, potentially allowing personnel to obtain physical access to SRS without completing all required access conditions.
The Office of Inspector General made one recommendation to SRNS intended to ensure employees complete substance abuse testing and other site-access requirements before receiving badges.