Mine Safety Administration Issues WIPP More Than 50 Citations

The Mine Safety and Health Administration issued more than 50 citations to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in a recent inspection, the Department of Energy said in a release issued yesterday, though DOE noted that most corrective actions taken in response to the citations have been implemented. The inspection focused on WIPP’s aboveground facilities, and the MSHA issued 52 citations “for various conditions including general workplace tidiness, exposed electrical wiring and missing safety guards on equipment,” DOE said. Of the 52, 49 of the citations have had corrective actions implemented and have been addressed, DOE said. The three remaining citations to be addressed deal with missing equipment guards. “The safety guards are being designed and fabricated at an offsite location and will be installed when they are received,“ DOE said, adding, “WIPP will continue to work closely with MSHA to find ways to improve the safety and working environment at the facility.”