Y-12 Celebrates Safety Milestone
Y-12 Construction Marks Two Million Hours Without a Lost-Time Accident
Wed, 28 May 2008
The B&W Y-12 Direct-Hire Construction team has worked two million hours, covering a four-year period without a lost-time injury. That’s the equivalent of 1,000 people working four years without a lost-time accident. The Construction team’s last lost workday was in April 2004.
A celebration was held recently to mark the safety milestone. Senior leaders from the Y‑12 Site Office of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and B&W Y‑12 were on hand to congratulate the workers.
Darrel Kohlhorst, president and general manager of B&W Y‑12, said, “Safety is a value at Y‑12. Two million hours without a lost-time injury is testimony to the fact that you are serious about your safety and the safety of your co-workers. These hours were worked on projects that were completed on schedule and on budget.”
Ted Sherry, Y‑12 Site Office manager for NNSA, said, “I am extremely proud of all of you for this impressive accomplishment. It takes leadership, a strong safety culture, and attention to detail to achieve these results. When I say leadership, I mean leadership at all levels. I’m particularly impressed by the leadership exhibited by the experienced skilled craft, who have taken new employees under their wing, instilled the Y‑12 safety culture, taught them the skill of their trade, and all along ensured safe job performance.”
“What an impressive record,” said Dennis Grove, vice president, Projects Division. “The construction direct-hire work force achieved this milestone while executing the most hazardous work at the site. You are leading the way to our goal of zero accidents.”
Two million hours without a lost-time injury is a significant achievement for any construction operation, but in light of the potential hazards at Y‑12, it is even more notable, Grove said.
Much credit for the accomplishment goes to the Knoxville Building and Construction Trades Council (KBCTC), which provided well-trained, skilled, and safety-conscious personnel who embraced Y‑12 safety programs.
Ray Whitehead, president of KBCTC, said, “The construction trade can be one of the most challenging careers. Performing safely for two million craft hours takes commitment, from top to bottom. Congratulations to Y‑12 Construction—you have earned it.”
The safety milestone is not Construction’s only accomplishment. During the previous four years, Y‑12 Direct-Hire Construction craft completed more than 100 projects important to the Y‑12 mission. Direct-Hire Construction is composed of B&W Y‑12’s regular, full-time construction work force. It does not include workers on subcontracted construction projects.
Y-12 is a key facility in the U.S. Nuclear Weapons Complex and is responsible for ensuring the safety, reliability, and security of the nuclear weapons stockpile and serves as the nation’s primary repository of highly enriched uranium. B&W Y‑12 operates the Y‑12 National Security Complex for the National Nuclear Security Administration.