Energy Department Cites Bechtel National Inc. for Safety Violations
BNI has been cited for violations in the areas of management responsibilities, hazard identification and assessment, hazard prevention and abatement, training and information, and recordkeeping.
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a Preliminary Notice of Violation to Bechtel National Inc. for violations of worker safety and health requirements. The federal agency said the violations stem from an event when a worker was injured Nov. 4, 2016, when a 12-inch pipe joint separated and released a pressurized stream of water during preparation of a piping system for pressure testing at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant at the Hanford Site.
The notice cites three Severity Level I violations and two Severity Level II violations of requirements enforceable under 10 C.F.R. Part 851, Worker Safety and Health Program. BNI has been cited for violations in the areas of management responsibilities, hazard identification and assessment, hazard prevention and abatement, training and information, and recordkeeping.
DOE's announcement said because it withheld $556,500 in contract fees for significant failures in safety and health performance, including the matters associated with this notice, it proposes no civil penalty for the identified violations.
BNI is the management and operating contractor for the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Project at the Hanford Site located in Richland, Wash.