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Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000
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Study of health effects among DOE workers
Employees may have seen news reports over the weekend regarding a new study of health effects among workers at Department of Energy laboratories and plants caused by exposures to hazardous or radioactive materials. Laboratory experts have not seen this draft report and therefore don't know what specifically it says about Los Alamos. The most recent published study of Los Alamos workers appeared in Health Physics in 1994 (Nov. 18, 1994 news release). In addition, there are several ongoing studies regarding LANL worker health being conducted for the DOE under the aupices of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health that have yet to be published.
DOE last July announced a compensation plan for workers that were exposed to beryllium (see the DOE news release). Shortly thereafter the review began at the request of President Bill Clinton (see the July 15, 1999, memo).
Director answers employee questions
Laboratory Director John Browne has completed a set of answers to questions submitted to future@lanl.gov (see the Director's home page under "Ask the Director"). In this latest set, the director answers questions concerning time-and-effort reporting for exempt employees, schedule changes, Laboratory-produced junk mail, change in retirement age factor, travel reimbursement procedures and more.
The director is always open to employee questions and will answer those sent to him at future@lanl.gov.
New building to relieve overcrowding at TA-55
Beneath long-overdue snow clouds Monday, chilly workers from the Nuclear Materials Technology (NMT) Division applauded as Steve Younger, associate Laboratory director for nuclear weapons, cut a ceremonial ribbon to admit them to a new building that will house managers and office workers at Technical Area 55.
About 130 workers this week will begin occupying the Facilities Improvement Technical Support building at the northwest corner of TA-55. The 24,000-square-foot structure was built in nine months and will relieve overcrowding in other NMT facilities.
"On time and within budget -- that's what's remarkable about this project," said Dave Post, deputy director of the Project Management (PM) Division.
Post also praised the excellent coordination and management of the building project, both within the Laboratory and between the Laboratory and the Department of Energy, which paid for the $4.87 million structure.
The FITS Building will house several NMT groups, including Actinide Ceramics and Fabrication (NMT-9), Material Science and Processing (NMT-11), Authorization Basis (NMT-14) and Plutonium Metallurgy (NMT-16), along with some employees from other NMT groups.
"This is terrific ... a true team effort," Younger told the 60 or so people at the ceremony. "The most important thing for you is that we'll be putting more of you in humane surroundings."
Jim Jones of Project Management, project leader for the building project, said some workers will be moving from portable buildings and others will transfer from PF-1, PF-3, Building 114 and other offices at TA-55, which should free up valuable research space.
J.B. Henderson of Albuquerque was prime contractor for the building, and the Albuquerque firm of Holmes and Narver provided architecture and engineering services.
NMT Division Director Tim George said he was pleased the building project "has gone off without any significant hitches."
George and Younger presented plaques to several Laboratory employees instrumental in the successful completion of the FITS building. These included Jones, Keith Barras, Steve Day, John Fellers, Ross Garcia, Kevin Hogan, Keith Orr, Michele Poling and Jeff Tucker, all of Project Management; and Jesse Castanon of Group Management and Administration (BUS-5).
--Jim Danneskiold
Wellness Center weight room to close for one to two weeks
PHOTO: Pam Baron of Human Resources Distributed Services (HR-7) uses a weight machine yesterday over the lunch hour. The weight room will be closed beginning today as construction crews begin the renovation and expansion. While most of those who use the weights said they will miss it for one to two weeks, most of those said the wait would be worth it in the long run. During that time, the Los Alamos YMCA will be offering a special pass for Wellness Center participants. The rest of the Wellness Center facility will remain open for most of those days. However, the entire facility may be closed for one day while exercise equipment is being moved in the building. Photo by Kathy DeLucas
Parking shuttle route map available
Project Management has provided a map showing the parking shuttle route and bus stops in Technical Area 3. Click here for a 10-by-7 inch image of the map or click here for a pdf file (Adobe Acrobat required).
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