March 17, 2014

WORKER INJURED AT BROOKHAVEN DURING REACTOR D&D WORK

By ExchangeMonitor

A worker was injured yesterday during D&D work at Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Graphite Research Reactor. The accident occurred when the worker fell approximately 16 feet from a “person lift,” according to a lab statement. The worker was transported to Stony Brook University Medical Center. The extent of his injuries was not known as of yesterday, though the lab said, “The worker was conscious and talking to emergency response personnel before he was transported.” The worker was scanned for radiation, which came back negative, according to the lab. The cause of the accident is still unknown, and Brookhaven has begun an investigation.

The Graphite Research Reactor operated from 1950 to 1968 and was the world’s first nuclear reactor built solely for peaceful research purposes, according to the Department of Energy. The reactor’s graphite pile was successfully removed last year using stimulus funds, and since then D&D work has focused on removal of the bioshield that had surrounded the pile. Prior to the accident, the bioshield removal was expected to be completed by the end of January, though it remains unclear whether or how work will be impacted by yesterday’s accident.

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