WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued a Preliminary Notice of Violation (PNOV) to UChicago Argonne, LLC (UChicago Argonne) for violations of worker safety and health requirements.  DOE’s enforcement program holds contractors accountable for meeting regulatory requirements and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.  

The violations are associated with an event involving a machinist whose finger was nearly amputated while operating a horizontal band saw at the Argonne National Laboratory on August 13, 2015.  The PNOV cites three Severity Level I violations and one Severity Level II violation of requirements enforceable under 10 C.F.R. Part 851, Worker Safety and Health Program. UChicago Argonne is cited for violations in the areas of:  (1) management responsibilities, (2) hazard identification and assessment, (3) hazard prevention and abatement, and (4) training and information.

DOE proposes a civil penalty of $140,000 based on the safety significance of the violations. DOE acknowledges UChicago Argonne’s timely implementation of comprehensive corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Section 234C of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, authorizes the Energy Department to pursue regulatory enforcement under 10 C.F.R. Part 851 against DOE contractors for violations of worker safety and health requirements.  DOE’s enforcement program encourages contractors to identify and correct worker safety and health program deficiencies at an early stage, before they contribute to, or result in more serious safety and health events.

UChicago Argonne is the management and operating contractor for the Argonne National Laboratory located in Lemont, IL. 

Additional details on this PNOV and other enforcement actions are available on the DOE website at: /ea/services/enforcement.