Department of Energy Cites UT-Battelle, LLC, for Worker Safety and Health Program Violations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued a Preliminary Notice of Violation (PNOV) to UT-Battelle, LLC, (UTB) for violations of DOE worker safety and health requirements. DOE’s enforcement program holds contractors accountable for meeting regulatory requirements and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.  

The violations are associated with program elements for the assessment and control of ergonomic and material handling hazards that were associated with a series of events beginning in 2013 that resulted in serious injury to two workers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.  The PNOV cites three Severity Level I violations, and one Severity Level II violation, of requirements enforceable under Title 10 C.F.R. Part 851, Worker Safety and Health Program.  UTB is cited for violations in the areas of: (1) management responsibilities, (2) hazard identification and assessment, (3) hazard prevention and abatement, and (4) manual material handling limits and training and information.

DOE proposes civil penalty of $131,250 based on the safety significance of the violations and in consideration of UTB’s implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Section 234C of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, authorizes the Energy Department to pursue regulatory enforcement under 10 C.F.R. Part 851 against DOE contractors for violations of worker safety and health requirements.  DOE’s enforcement program encourages contractors to identify and correct worker safety and health program deficiencies at an early stage, before they contribute to, or result in more serious safety and health events.

UTB is the management and operating contractor for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.  

Additional details on this PNOV and other enforcement actions are available on the DOE website at: /ea/services/enforcement.