U.S. Fines Nuclear Weapons Contractor

The U.S. Energy Department has fined the contractor of the Pantex nuclear weapons facility in Amarillo, Texas, for failing to adhere to safety procedures during three 2005 incidents, the agency release announced yesterday (see GSN, May 19, 2005).

The department’s National Nuclear Security Administration levied a $110,000 fine against BWXT Pantex, which operates the only U.S. facility for assembling and dismantling nuclear warheads.

The three incidents occurred between March 30, 2005 and April 26, 2005, when workers had trouble separating warhead components and used excessive force in attempting to proceed.

Their actions “demonstrated a nonconservative approach in decision-making during a process in which strict adherence to established procedure was vital,” according to an Energy Department release.  BWXT Pantex is working to correct “the underlying deficiencies,” the release adds (National Nuclear Security Administration release, Nov. 29).

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