WATCHDOG GROUP CALLS FOR STAND-DOWN AT WTP

The new DOE report outlined the findings of a review the Department’s Office of Health, Safety and Security conducted into the safety culture at the WTP. The review was the latest in a series of assessments conducted at the Hanford vit plant to gauge whether workers feel comfortable in raising safety and technical concerns. Among the new review’s findings is that there is “a definite unwillingness and uncertainty” among employees at DOE’s Office of River Protection at Hanford to openly challenge management decisions and a fear of retaliation by some Bechtel National employees that could inhibit the identification of issues. In his statement, Carpenter praised the report, saying a change in leadership is needed at the WTP. “This report is a frank acknowledgement of what the Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board found six months ago—too many employees in key positions are unwilling to raise concerns that could impact public health and safety or the future safe operation of this important and potentially dangerous facility,” Carpenter said. “Hanford Challenge expects to see a change in leadership that is capable of tackling Hanford’s broken safety culture and ensuring that problems are addressed and issues raised without fear.”