  |
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 1997
97-155
Contact: Steve Moore (509) 736-3023
Ron Langley (360) 407-6149
Olympia, WA - The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has fined the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE), Hanford's primary contractor Fluor Daniel Hanford, Inc., and Babcock and Wilcox Hanford Company, $110,000 for conditions leading up to, and following a May 14, 1997, explosion at the Plutonium Reclamation Facility.
The penalty reflects the management errors that allowed two chemicals stored in a tank to evaporate and concentrate to the point at which they exploded. In addition, the penalty addresses problems with the USDOE and its contractor's emergency planning and response efforts.
A Notice of Correction accompanying the penalty outlines violations and requires specific corrective measures. Ecology has taken into consideration the cooperative and open attitude USDOE has displayed from the onset of the event. The two reports issued by USDOE were very self-critical, as were the directives issued by USDOE's Secretary Frederico Pena. Ecology also acknowledges the corrective actions implemented by USDOE since the explosion.
The penalty and corrective actions issued by Ecology reflect the severity of the event.
"This was a very serious accident. Unfortunately it was the latest in a series of incidents which can be traced directly to chemical mismanagement at Hanford" said Mike Wilson, Manager of Ecology's Nuclear Waste Program. "As a result of this event, Ecology anticipates some substantial improvements in emergency preparedness and chemical management."
The USDOE has taken steps internally to correct many problems following the explosion, and Ecology applauds these efforts. Ecology, state, and local emergency response organizations will be working closely with USDOE to improve Hanford's emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
Specifically, Ecology is requiring the following in its compliance letter:
Ecology is also encouraging USDOE to implement innovative voluntary solutions to improve overall hazardous chemical management at Hanford, and it is confident USDOE will do so.
"This event served as a wake-up call for all involved, and we expect the resulting actions to lead to a safer atmosphere for Hanford and its workers." said Dan Silver, Deputy Director of Ecology.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
