History

Since awarded the contract to operate the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in November 2000, BWXT - Y12 has continually strived to demonstrate a commitment to safety. And, significant progress has been made. The lost-workday case rate is as low as it has been in 10 years. And, yes, this is quite an achievement, but for the workers and management of Y-12, this is considered a good start. Even with these improved statistics, more than 100 people were injured last year. That is unacceptable. Management knows there is more that can be done to make Y-12 as safe a workplace as it can possibly be.

The key is to find the things that can hurt people before the people get hurt. This requires a process that trains and focuses us on the things around us that not often, but eventually, could result in an injury. This must be followed by an absolute commitment on everyone's part to fix the safety issues once they are identified.

Based upon experience, the BWXT - Y12 management team knows the Behavior-Based Safety is such a process. The basis of this program is the personal involvement of every employee from every area of the Complex to make our workplace safer. Behavior-Based Safety puts ownership for safety into the hands of every employee and establishes management accountability to follow through on needed improvements.

BWXT Y-12 is determined to take performance to ever-higher levels. In March 2003, a team began to develop this important process here Y-12. The process will build on safety improvements already in place and take these improvements to new heights.