Statement of Gerald Boyd,
Manager, Oak Ridge Offices,
Concerning Workplace Safety Incident
at the East Tennessee Technology Park
 

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- “Today, the U.S. Department of Energy is investigating the discovery of unsafe work practices involving employees connected with our environmental cleanup program at the East Tennessee Technology Park.  The incident involved employees engaging in “horseplay” with an air hose and piece of conduit to fire projectiles, such as ball bearings, at walls in the basement of the K-1401 Building.

“The behavior of these employees was wrong.  It was an inappropriate and inexcusable use of government time on the job.  A safe work environment was jeopardized and people could have been hurt.  We will not compromise on safety, therefore, site access for eight employees involved has been revoked by Bechtel Jacobs effective immediately. 

-DOE-