Fire danger: Moderate
Updated at 10:15 a.m.
Secretary Richardson to make major workers' compensation announcement today
Energy Secretary Bill Richardson will make a major announcement today about the Clinton/Gore Administration's proposal to compensate people made ill from their work in the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons complex. The news conference will be broadcast at the Laboratory on LABNET, Channel 9 beginning at 11:30 a.m.
News from earlier today
Editor's note: The Department of Energy has been engaged in a study of Technical Area 18 to determine the best way to maintain the capabilities present at TA-18 while reducing operating costs. TA-18 presents rising operational costs because of security needs and an aging infrastrastructure. More information can be found in the following DOE news release.
Richardson announces plan to relocate
Los Alamos TA-18 capabilities
Energy Secretary Bill Richardson today announced that Technical Area 18 (TA-18), a facility at the Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory, will be closed by the end of 2004, and that an environmental impact study on the proposed transfer of TA-18's capabilities and materials to another location will begin immediately and is scheduled to be completed in December. The facility supports important defense, nuclear safety and national security missions.
Though TA-18 is judged safe and secure by the department's independent inspection office, its facilities are between 30 and 50 years old and are increasingly expensive to maintain and operate. The preferred relocation option, Secretary Richardson said, is a different site at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Consideration also will be given to other Department of Energy facilities, including the Nevada Test Site and Argonne-West in Idaho.
"Keeping TA-18 open while we conduct an environmental study and assess other sites is clearly the sensible way to go," Richardson said. "There will be no near-term impacts to Energy Department programs or commitments, and an orderly transition will ensure minimal effect on previously scheduled activities. Also, this approach supports staff retention and recruiting efforts at Los Alamos."
TA-18 houses the nation's only facilities capable of performing general-purpose nuclear materials handing for a variety of experiments, measurements and training. It houses the Western Hemisphere's largest collection of machines for conducting experiments for validating safety evaluations and establishing limits for operations that involve nuclear materials.
About 80 full-time employees work at TA-18. They provide expertise and knowledge in advanced nuclear technologies that support three primary areas: (1) critical experiments in support of Stockpile Stewardship and nuclear safety programs throughout the department; (2) emergency response in support of couterterrorism activities; and (3) safeguards and arms control in support of domestic and international programs to control nuclear materials. Additionally, training activities at TA-18 develop and maintain capabilities and expertise within the national nuclear materials handling community.
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From the director ... "Secretary Richardson's announcement today acknowledges TA-18's importance, and provides a clearly defined path for moving forward on this issue," Lab Director John Browne said. "I want to thank the employees in our Threat Reduction and Nuclear Weapons directorates who helped provide information and other input to the DOE staff who advised the Secretary on this decision. Los Alamos workers made important contributions to this process, especially their sustained, high-quality technical work at TA-18." |
Biophysicist wins Presidential Early Career
Award
Xian Chen, a biophysicist in Analytical Chemistry Sciences (CST-9), has received the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award from the National Science and Technology Council, a cabinet-level agency that coordinates federal research and development in science, technology and space (see the White House news release).
Chen and fellow award winners from other participating federal agencies will be recognized today during a White House ceremony.
The Presidential Early Career Award is the highest honor given to young scientists and engineers by the U.S. government. It recognizes those who show exceptional potential for science excellence and leadership in their respective fields. Winning researchers also receive funding for their research for five years.
"You are a shining example to future generations of researchers. You represent the best of the group of scientists and engineers who will be responsible for America's 21st century greatness," wrote Neal Lane, assistant to the president for science and technology, in his congratulatory letter to Chen.
"I state with no hesitation that Dr. Chen is among the top one percent of all the scientists whom I have come across during my academic career," echoed Vahid Majidi, Chen's group leader, who recognized his novel work early in his career and nominated Chen for the award. "The presidential award was designed exactly with scientists like Chen in mind."
Chen described his winning the award as an exciting experience.
"I am deeply honored by those who felt I was deserving of consideration for the presidential award and supported my nomination," he said. Chen also thanked Lloyd Smith of the University of Wisconsin, his Los Alamos postdoctoral mentor and collaborator E. Morton Bradbury and others for their support throughout his career.
"I have committed myself to excelling in science," Chen said. "I consider winning this highly prestigious award as the beginning of a successful journey, or as the old Chinese saying goes, 'The first step of a long march.'"
Chen received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Peking (now Beijing) University, one of most prestigious universities in China, in 1985. He received his doctorate in organic chemistry from Penn State University in 1991. Chen then worked as a postdoctoral associate at the University of Florida Medical School before joining the Laboratory's Life Sciences (now Bioscience) Division as a postdoctoral fellow in November 1993.
Chen's current research focuses on functional genomics, how genes function and interact with each other, an integral component of the Human Genome Project. Chen is involved in developing new analytical methods using biological mass spectrometry for determining gene products and their functions. He also is one of the initiators of the Laboratory's Biological Mass Spectrometry Program.
He has patents pending on three new analytical techniques, including a method of stable-isotope-assisted mass spectrometry that verifies DNA sequencing data, detects genetic variations within the human genome and helps researchers identify massive gene products. He also has authored or co-authored more than 20 scientific papers.
Chen is a member of the American Chemical Society, American Society for Mass Spectrometry and Biophysical Society.
--Ternel N. Martinez
New group addresses policy, 'staff relations' and labor issues
Staff Relations (HR-8), the newest group in the Human Resources (HR) Division, has been around since November, but many people still aren't aware of the organization and the full scope of its responsibilities.
Some employees may have heard of the new group through the management training and employee presentations that HR-8 conducted on the California Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act, or HEERA. HR-8 is working to implement HEERA and represents the Laboratory in dealing with employee organizations, or unions. But Group Leader Phil Kruger explained that the group does much more.
For instance, the Policy and Communication Office was folded into HR-8 earlier this year.
"The merger of Staff Relations and the Policy Office made sense," said Kruger. "Many of our policies are intended to provide employees and managers guidance in dealing with issues which inevitably arise in the employer-employee relationship. Our intent is to design and implement policies that facilitate that relationship, rather than complicate it."
Another key area of focus for HR-8 is helping managers, supervisors and employees address workplace friction or conflict. "Any large organization where individuals interact on a daily basis is subject to conflict," said Kruger. "In that sense, the Laboratory is no different from any other employer."
Kruger said that a key function of HR-8 is to help both supervisors and employees address and resolve conflict so it doesn't interfere with the Laboratory's scientific mission. In that regard, he explained, HR-8 is neither a "management" nor an "employee" advocate. Rather, it is an advocate for the Laboratory community in the larger sense, with an overall focus on resolving conflict.
In this capacity, HR-8 provides advice and assistance to employees and managers on a range of issues, including labor relations, performance issues, harassment, retaliation claims and potential violence in the workplace. HR-8 also conducts investigations into allegations of workplace misconduct.
Employees and managers with complaints or concerns can turn to Staff Relations for advice and counseling on how to address these and other issues. Depending on the subject, HR-8 may handle the case, or they may refer it to another office, such as the Ombuds Program, Diversity Office, Office of Equal Opportunity, or to Complaint Resolution Services which administers AM111, the Laboratory's formal policy on complaint resolution. Employees and managers who have questions in any of these areas should contact the Staff Relations group office at 7-8730.
--David Lyons
Lighten up
Events planned for National Humor
Month
A little humor never hurt anyone. It's actually good for your health.
During National Humor Month in April, Occupational Medicine (ESH-2) and the Positive Health Directions Program are sponsoring several events to help Laboratory employees lighten up and better appreciate the value of humor.
"There's nothing wrong with maintaining a serious approach to our work," said Jessica Kisiel of ESH-2 and the Positive Health Directions program coordinator. "But it's also okay to laugh and realize that humor has some health benefits."
To help celebrate National Humor Month, Laffs Comedy Club comedian Scotty Goff will be at the Lab from noon to 1 p.m. April 19 in the Physics Building Auditorium at Technical Area 3. Goff's presentation is free and open to Lab employees and subcontract personnel.
Goff, an Albuquerque native and former educator, has been the opening act for well known comedians Kevin Meaney, Paul Rodriguez, David Spade, Louie Anderson and Tommy Chong.
Studies have shown that for people who have high-blood pressure and heart disease, laughter reduces the release of stress-related hormones, speeds up the heart rate and improves blood circulation.
Other health studies have demonstrated that laughing releases endorphins, which are natural pain killers. Laughing also helps the body secrete an enzyme that protects the stomach from ulcers and helps move nutrients and oxygen to body tissues, helping the body's normal growth and repair functions.
Laughter also is one of the best exercises for people suffering from asthma or bronchitis because it improves lung capacity and oxygen levels in the bloodstream. Laughter also has benefited people who have difficulty sleeping or were taking medication to aid in sleeping or in treating depression or psychosomatic disorders.
According to the National Wellness Association, laughter often generates happiness and a sense of well-being. The organization offered the following suggestions for bringing more humor into a person's life:
Another humor specialist, C.W. Metcalf, will be featured in a series of 20-minute videotapes titled, "Humor, Risk, and Change," being shown at 12:30 p.m. April 20 and 27 in Room P-280 of the Otowi Building. Metcalf talks about the importance of developing a sense of humor and how valuable it is for creativity, team building, and morale.
The videos to be shown are:
The videos are free and popcorn will be served.
"Take a few minutes from the work day to laugh," said Kisiel. "It's good for you and just might make you a better, healthier person."
More information about the physiology of laughing can be found at http://www.healthlibrary.com/reading/yod/current/laughter.htm online.
More information about the National Wellness Association is available at http://www.wellnessnwi.org/nwa/ online.
More information about National Humor Month also can be found at http://www.hr.lanl.gov/GoodHealth/ online.
--Steve Sandoval
Southbound traffic on U.S. 84-285 to be
moved onto two new lanes
Southbound motor vehicle traffic on U.S. 84-285 near Pojoaque will be moved onto two new lanes as early as this Friday as work continues on a widening project.
Workers on the latest phase of the $8.8 million project of about 2 miles of U.S. 84-285 will detour southbound motorists onto two new lanes that until recently had served as temporary northbound lanes, explained Don Schanning of Proof Positive, an Albuquerque public relations company on contract to the state Highway and Transportation Department.
Motorists accessing U.S. 84-285 from NM 502 should be alert for detour signs and traffic barriers as they come off the ramp that connects the two roads, Schanning said. Traffic is being shifted slightly east so workers can continue construction of frontage roads and other safety improvements, he said.
Laboratory employees and subcontract personnel from Santa Fe and points south travel through the construction area to get to and from work.
A.S. Horner Construction Co. is the general contractor for the project to rebuild the existing east frontage road and build a new west frontage road along 1.7 miles of U.S. 84-285. When completed, this portion of U.S. 84-285 also will have a new left turn lane in both directions, said Schanning.
The posted speed limit through the construction area is 40 miles per hour. The contractor has signs and other traffic control devices in place to alert motorists to the work.
In addition, Schanning said Gutierrez Street remains closed at U.S. 84-285, during off-peak hours. Motorists should use Viarrial Street or the North Frontage Road to access Gutierrez Street.
The construction is designed to improve safety through this stretch of the highway by slowing traffic down and eliminating median crossings, Schanning said.
Schanning said A. S. Horner is working from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. No work takes place during the peak morning and afternoon traffic hours.
The project is scheduled for completion this fall, weather permitting, said Schanning.
Some 1,900 Laboratory employees and subcontract personnel live in Santa Fe while another 500 employees live in Sandoval and Bernalillo counties. Many of these employees travel U.S. 84-285 daily to get to work.
The Lab allows managers to use flex-time scheduling, but employees should plan on delays and adjust their schedules accordingly.
Employees and subcontract personnel interested in joining a car or van pool can call 988-7433, or 1-888-866-6438, or go to the Laboratory's "Commuter's Corner" Web page.
For more information, write to Schanning at dschanning@aol.com by e-mail, or send a fax to (505) 246-9417.
--Steve Sandoval
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Tips for driving safety Highway construction projects are an everyday fact of life, with motorists encountering "orange barrels" periodically, sometimes frequently, during commutes to and from work. As part of National Work Zone Safety Week, the state Highway and Transportation Department has provided the following driving safety tips:
According to the Federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 772 people were killed in highway workzone areas in 1998. Since 1994, an average of 760 fatalities per year have occurred in these work zones. The majority of highway work zone motor vehicle accidents occur doing the day and three times as many accidents happen during the work week. The federal road agency also said that the two top causes of fatal work zone crashes are excessive speed and driver inattention. For more information write to Don Schanning at dschanning@aol.com by e-mail, or send a fax to (505) 246-9417. --Steve Sandoval |
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On today's bulletin board |
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Commuter's Corner | Parking areas around TA-3 | Parking shuttle routes (pdf) or jpeg |
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'Stress
Proofing' at the Wellness Center
