RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — A new report by the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board criticizes the safety culture at a $12.2 billion project at the Hanford nuclear reservation.
Contractor Bechtel National is building a vitrification plant that will convert highly radioactive waste into glass-like logs for permanent disposal underground.
The board’s investigation found that the U.S. Department of Energy and Bechtel reinforce a safety culture that deters timely reporting and resolution of safety concerns.
The board began investigating management attitudes and policies toward safety after a former engineering manager alleged he lost his position because he raised concerns.
