[All_jlab_accounts] Notable Events Call for Reminder to Stay Focused, Safe on the Job

[deborah magaldi]

Three events have occurred recently at Jefferson Lab that appear to 
involve forgetting important steps in a rush to complete the work.

1.  On Monday, Dec. 16, a GERT-trained subcontractor moved a Radiation 
Control Department Controlled Area sign, which was hanging on a fixed 
ladder, in order to gain access to the area located directly above the 
VTA (Vertical Test Area in the Test Lab), while the VTA was operating. 
The signage was attached to the ladder by a magenta and yellow bungee 
cord, but the contractor did not pay attention to the sign.

2.  On Dec. 17, it was discovered that a Physics employee moved some 
radioactive material (RAM) from a properly posted RAM storage bin in the 
EEL high bay area to an un-posted work area without contacting the 
Radiation Control (RadCon) Department as required. The employee was 
trying to complete measurements on the radioactive components.

3.  On Dec. 18, around 2 p.m., while trying to diagnose why the North 
Linac would not go into sweep mode, a member of the Safety Systems Group 
(SSG) discovered that a Personnel Safety System (PSS) connection to the 
DOG1E Box Power Supply had been removed. An employee, performing 
diagnostic work on the DOG1E Box Power Supply, had removed the PSS 
connection to install a test box.

All three events appear to have a common theme: an employee trying to 
complete an assigned task too quickly. Whether by conducting task steps 
out-of-sequence or by taking apparent short-cuts, each of these events 
could have had serious safety implications had the circumstances been 
slightly different.

Remember that being in a hurry is not an acceptable reason for taking 
shortcuts; indeed, if you are in a hurry, that is the time for extra 
vigilance and focus.

Prepare for the upcoming holiday break by working safely around your 
colleagues and on behalf of your family. When you return, take time to 
re-focus your thoughts and energies on the work you will be accomplishing.

/This message is being sent on behalf of Jefferson Lab's management and 
the ESH&Q Division./

Best regards,
Deb Magaldi
Public Affairs
Jefferson Lab

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