Radioactive contamination triggers Hanford management change

RICHLAND, Wash. – The Department of Energy is replacing the managers of a critical radioactive cleanup project after the continued spread of contamination on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

The Tri-City Herald reports the announcement Monday comes after radioactive contamination was again found on a worker’s personnel vehicle. The Department of Energy wants other employee cars retested, including a rental car its contractor had to track down.

Replacing the project managers is intended to rebuild confidence with workers and the public and show the project is being safely managed.

Department of Energy Richland Operations Office manager Doug Shoop told employees in a message that Jacobs Engineering Group has been put in charge of the Plutonium Finishing Plant after a spread of radioactive particles.

Hanford for decades made plutonium for nuclear weapons and workers are now cleaning up the site.

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Information from: Tri-City Herald, http://www.tri-cityherald.com