BWX Technologies subsidiary Nuclear Fuel Services this week reported multiple cases of COVID-19 among its workforce.
The Erwin, Tenn., defense-uranium contractor did not say how many employees were infected, or how many potentially exposed employees were in quarantine following contact with the sick workers.
“Our coronavirus response protocols call for enhanced cleaning across the site, social distancing, hand washing, hand sanitizing and use of face masks,” Nuclear Fuel Services said in a prepared statement. “Employees who experience COVID-19-like symptoms, have potentially been exposed, or are ill have been instructed to stay home.”
A spokesperson said the COVID-19 emergency response had not delayed any Nuclear Fuel Services contract milestones.
The company employees about 1,000 people at the 70-acre site. It is the U.S. Navy’s main source for uranium fuel for nuclear-powered warships and submarines.
In addition to the Navy business, Nuclear Fuel Services also does work under contract for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The company is now producing low-enriched uranium to produce tritium in civilian nuclear reactors for NNSA nuclear weapons programs.
Nuclear Fuel Services also could wind up purifying defense uranium for the weapons program around 2023. The NNSA is negotiating with the company to act as a backstop for the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn., in a few years.
Total cases across the NNSA complex passed 50 last week. The agency would not say how many new cases it recorded this week. The tally doesn’t count cases at Nuclear Fuel Services.
