DOE IG Raises Concerns With Pantex Corrective Actions Systems
NS&D Monitor
10/31/2014
New Pantex Plant contractor Consolidated Nuclear Security should strengthen its corrective actions systems, the Department of Energy’s Inspector General said in an audit report released late last week. The IG found previous plant contractor B&W Pantex generally implemented corrective actions programs, including the Problem Evaluation Request/Electronic Suspense Tracking and Routing System, the Employee Concerns Program, and the No More Surprises Program, but it said the programs sometimes did not elevate issues to a Problem Evaluation Request. It did not analyze CNS’ systems because the contractor took over the contract in July.
The IG also said “extent of condition” information that is used to identify recurring and systemic issues was inconsistent and incomplete in some cases, and the Employee Concerns Program was not regularly assessed to ensure the program was meeting its goals because of a lack of adequate staffing. Because of the issues, “there was an increased risk that quality or safety issues could remain unresolved,” the IG said. “Specifically, when identified issues were not entered into PER/ESTARS, they were not subject to screening, cause analysis, and trending to identify repeat occurrences, generic issues, and weaknesses before they became a more significant concern. In addition, there was an increased risk that the lack of visibility of these issues could have adversely affected operational performance and mission accomplishment.”
