Washington River Protection Solutions

DOE Recertifies Tank Farm Operations VPP Star Status

Richland, Washington - - Tank Farm Operations was recognized today as an industry leader in safety by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which has recertified the firm’s Analytical Technical Services group’s Voluntary Protection Program Star status.

DOE’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) encourages and recognizes excellence in occupational safety and health protection. The program emphasizes systematic and creative approaches involving cooperative action among government, industry and labor in the area of worker health and safety. Achieving Star status indicates outstanding performance.

The Tank Farm Operations Analytical Technical Services group operates and maintains Hanford’s 222-S Laboratory. The organization has about 190 employees who are responsible for sampling of high-level radioactive waste from Hanford’s tanks, testing waste samples, disposing of wastes from operations, and performing engineering, maintenance and upgrades at the nuclear laboratory. Hazards include radiation exposure, handling radioactive materials, chemical hazards and a full range of industrial hazards associated with an operating facility.

The Analytical Technical Services organization first received VPP Star status in 2003 and was recertified in 2005. A team of five experts from DOE’s Office of Health, Safety and Security conducted a review from January 7th to the 17th to determine if the organization is performing at a level deserving of VPP Star recognition. Based upon interviews with about 100 workers and managers, extensive observation of work activities, and inspection of worksites and facilities, the team determined that Tank Farm Operations “has maintained the exceptionally strong safety culture expected of a VPP site.”

The team concluded that the Analytical Technical Services team was “led by a proactive and energetic Vice President, managers and employees embody the principles of total teamwork, complete employee empowerment, and equal ownership of and participation in the safety and health program. A commitment to safety excellence and continuous improvement is evident from the Vice President himself, to the newest member of the workforce.”

The report also concluded, “It is evident that employees feel very strongly that upper management supports a strong safety culture, one which employees feel empowered to resolve health and safety concerns without fear of reprisal.”

Star status is the core of the DOE Voluntary Protection Program. By achieving Star status, a company demonstrates truly outstanding protection of employee safety and health.

Washington River Protections Solutions is a prime contractor to the Department of Energy’s Office of River Protection (ORP) and is responsible for safely managing 53 million gallons of radioactive and chemical waste stored in 177 underground tanks at the Hanford Site, located in south-central Washington State.