Y-12 Construction hits one million hour mark without lost-time injury

B&W Y-12 announced last week that its direct-hire construction team has worked one million hours without a lost-time injury.

A press release said some 285 people—including building trade crafts, non-manual staff, and escorts—worked without a lost-time accident during the 633-day period. The construction team’s last lost workday was in September 2010.

Senior leaders from the National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office, or NPO, and B&W Y‑12 congratulated the workers during a celebration Thursday.

“You reach a one-million-hour milestone like this by people looking out for each other, by taking safety seriously, and being aware of hazards by staying in the moment,” said Jim Haynes, B&W Y-12 senior vice president and deputy general manager for projects.

“It takes leadership, a strong safety culture, and attention to detail to achieve these results,” said Karl Waltzer, NPO senior scientific and technical adviser.

The press release said much of the credit for the accomplishment goes to the Knoxville Building and Construction Trades Council, which provided well-trained, skilled, and safety-conscious workers who embraced Y‑12 safety programs.

KBCTC President Kevin Adkisson said: “The construction trade can be one of the most challenging careers. Performing safely takes commitment, from top to bottom.”

The press release said the Y-12 Direct-Hire Construction team is composed of B&W Y‑12’s full-time construction work force. It does not include workers on subcontracted construction projects.

At the same time it worked the one million hours without a injury, the Y‑12 Direct-Hire Construction craft worked on more than 125 projects and supported another 35 subcontracted projects important to the Y‑12 mission, the release said.