DOE Convenes Separate Accident Investigation Board
Kenneth Fletcher
WC Monitor
5/8/2015
The Department of Energy had already launched an investigation into the electrical systems at Los Alamos National Laboratory after several incidents occurred prior to this week’s electrical accident there that left one worker seriously injured and eight others seeking medical treatment. The May 3 event burned workers performing preventative maintenance operations at an electrical substation at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. The week before, on April 27, DOE’s Office of Enterprise Assessments Office of Enforcement issued a Notice of Investigation to the lab’s M&O contractor, Los Alamos National Security, regarding “potential deficiencies in LANS’ implementation of 10 CFR Part 851 requirements for hazardous energy assessment and control and several related electrical incidents,” National Nuclear Security Administration Los Alamos Field Office spokeswoman Toni Chiri said in a written response this week. The investigation underway will also include this week’s electrical accident.
DOE has also convened a separate Accident Investigation Board, led by NNSA acting Senior Advisor for Safety and Health Jeff Roberson, to look into the May 3 event. “The team consists of federal and contractor representatives with expertise in various subject areas relative to the event. The purpose of the AIB is to determine root and contributing causes to the event and to develop conclusions and judgements of needs to prevent recurrence of similar events,” Chiri said. “In addition to investigating the scene of the accident, the AIB will review relevant documentation, conduct necessary interview and evaluate similar historical events. The length of the investigation could vary depending on the circumstances, but we estimate four to six weeks.”
LANL Had Previously Experienced Electrical Safety Concerns
LANL has experienced electrical safety issues in the past, “including one case where an electrical worker contacted an unexpected electrical energy source above a ceiling. This resulted in a minor burn to the hand, and prompted a two-day electrical safety stand-down and two all-electrical-worker safety briefings, hosted by the Laboratory Director,” Lab spokesman Kevin Roark said in a written response. “The Laboratory takes electrical safety very seriously, and is taking steps to strengthen safety culture. We will work closely and cooperatively with the NNSA Office of Enforcement on their hazardous energy assessment investigation. It would be premature to comment on the outcome.”
As of May 4, the most seriously injured employee remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition, with a second employee under observation at Los Alamos Medical Center. “We are deeply concerned about the serious medical condition of the worker who was injured in an electrical accident this Sunday. Nothing is more important at this time than his well-being,” LANL Director Charlie McMillan said in a May 4 statement. “On behalf of the entire workforce at Los Alamos, I would like to express our hope for a full recovery and our sympathy and support to his family at this very difficult and trying time.”
