February 08 Issue - Employee Monthly Magazine

Notebook

When it's snowing

In the event of inclement weather, Laboratory workers should call the Laboratory's UPDATE phone line at 667-6622 or toll free at 1-877-723-4101 for information about the Lab's operating status. The UPDATE phone line is the Lab's official, primary source for obtaining such information. The entire process for determining a delayed opening or Lab closure usually is completed by 5 a.m., and the Lab's operating status is available on UPDATE shortly thereafter.

Laboratory's protective force gets name change

Protection Technology Los Alamos, the Laboratory's protective force subcontract company, has a new name and operator. It is now SOC Los Alamos, part of a new company, SOC LLC. Day & Zimmermann, PTLA's current management team will remain in place, and over time, employees will see the SOC Los Alamos insignia replace the PTLA brand on uniforms and other protective force materials. Note that SOC is not an acronym; each letter is pronounced. For more information, contact Ken Freeman at 5-6081 or e-mail kenfreeman@lanl.gov.

Security: Cell phones

Be vigilant about where you leave your cell phone to avoid taking it with you into a Security Area.

Safety: Traffic safety calendars available

Traffic safety calendars for 2008 are available from the Industrial Hygiene and Safety (IHS) Division. The calendars feature entries from the children's traffic safety poster contest sponsored by the Laboratory. Call 667-0295 to request one.

Saving for retirement in 401 (k) plans

The start of 2008 is a fitting time to assess your retirement savings. Contributing to LANS 401(k) plans reduces taxable income and provides for retirement security. The TCP-2 Retirement Plan provides a 6 percent LANS match. Eligible employees may begin or change contributions to their 401(k) plans at any time.

Wellness Center follows Lab operating schedule

If the Laboratory delays opening, has an early release, or closes due to inclement weather or other emergency, the Wellness Center follows the Laboratory operating schedule as announced to the workforce. Employees and other Wellness Center customers should not come to the Wellness Center when Laboratory management has determined that conditions are such that only essential workers should be at work. For more information, contact Phyllis Webb of the Wellness Center at 667-7166.

NNSA publishes proposed plan to transform the nuclear weapons complex

The draft Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement regarding transformation of the nuclear weapons complex is online. The National Nuclear Security Administration distributed more than 2,000 copies of the draft SPEIS, and the public has until April 10 to review and provide comments.

Nineteen public hearings will be held across the country starting this month. More information on NNSA's proposed complex transformation and a schedule of public meetings is online at http://www.nnsa.doe.gov/ complextransformation.htm online.

February service anniversaries

Find the February service anniversaries online at http://www.lanl.gov/news/currents/2008/feb/anniversaries.shtml.

In Memoriam

• Greg Bayhurst, 58, died September 13, 2007
• Darrell Call, 69, died October 6, 2007
• Helen Hudgins, 81, died October 18, 2007
• Jim McClary, 70, died October 20, 2007
• J. Virginia Gardner, 81, died November 16, 2007
• Eugene Lamkin, 86, died December 12, 2007