Y-12 Construction hits five-year mark
Y-12 Construction hits five-year mark without a lost-time accident
Wed, 20 May 2009
The B&W Y-12 Direct-Hire Construction team has worked 2.6 million hours, covering a five-year period without a lost-time injury. That’s the equivalent of 1,000 people working five years without a lost-time accident. The Construction team’s last lost workday was in April 2004.
A celebration recently was held to mark the safety milestone. Senior leaders from the Y‑12 Site Office of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and B&W Y‑12 were on hand to congratulate the workers.
John Howanitz, B&W Y‑12 senior vice president for Transformation and Projects, said, “Congratulations are due the men and women of Construction. You reach a 2.6 million-hour milestone like this by people looking out for each other, by taking safety seriously and being aware of hazards by staying in the moment.”
Ted Sherry, Y‑12 Site Office manager for NNSA, said, “I am extremely proud of all of you for this impressive accomplishment. It takes leadership, a strong safety culture, and attention to detail to achieve these results.”
Much credit for the accomplishment goes to the Knoxville Building and Construction Trades Council (KBCTC), which provided well-trained, skilled, and safety-conscious personnel who embraced Y‑12 safety programs.
Charles Connatser, vice president of KBCTC, said, “The construction trade can be one of the most challenging careers. Performing safely for five years worth of craft hours takes commitment, from top to bottom. Congratulations to Y‑12 Construction—you have earned it.”
The safety milestone is not Construction’s only accomplishment. During the previous five years, Y‑12 Direct-Hire Construction craft completed more than 200 projects and supported another 50 subcontracted projects important to the Y‑12 mission. Direct-Hire Construction is composed of B&W Y‑12’s regular, full-time construction work force. It does not include workers on subcontracted construction projects.
Y-12 is a key facility in the U.S. Nuclear Weapons Complex and is responsible for ensuring the safety, reliability, and security of the nuclear weapons stockpile and serves as the nation’s primary repository of highly enriched uranium. B&W Y‑12 operates the Y‑12 National Security Complex for the National Nuclear Security Administration.