Board says Savannah River Nuclear Site More Prepared for Emergencies

(TNS) - The Savannah River Site’s two largest contractors have hired more staffers and implemented emergency preparedness actions after a federal safety board reported in September that a reduction in related staff has decreased the site’s ability to prepare for potential emergencies.

The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board wrote a Dec. 22 letter to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz stating that the site’s heightened awareness of emergency preparedness could also be a benefit to other sites.

The safety board is an independent group within the executive branch that provides recommendations on DOE safety issues.

In June, the board reported that Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, the site’s management and operations contractor, and Savannah River Remediation, the site’s liquid waste contractor, had seen significant reductions in staff supporting emergency preparedness.

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, or SRNS, staff experienced a 40 percent reduction between fiscal years 2011 and 2014 and also experienced a 70 percent turnover rate over the past five years, according to the group.

SRNS spokesperson Barbara Smoak said the reduction was caused by several factors including “funding challenges and normal attrition, including personnel retiring or moving to other positions both internal and external to the company.”

Savannah River Remediation, or SRR, experienced an almost 30 percent reduction in its full time equivalents due to workforce restructuring, according to the safety board. The turnover resulted in a loss of several experienced staff members. As a result, recent hires usually had two years or less of relevant experience, which impacted effectiveness in drill scenarios and other areas, according to the safety board.

Corrective measures have since been taken, including more emergency preparedness hires for both contractors. The contractors also submitted assessment reports, with SRR identifying 27 opportunities for improvement and SRNS finding 69 opportunities for improvement.

Smoak added that SRNS also has an active joint response agreement in place with emergency responders in the surrounding communities.

SRR spokesperson Amy Joslin said the contractor’s Emergency Preparedness Program has conducted more than 100 drills/exercises since January 2013.

“During that period, SRR has ensured that the proficiency of Emergency Response Organization personnel has been maintained,” Joselin said.


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