Pantex worker exposed to radiation dose

Amarillo, Texas -- Pantex Plant is beefing up radiological work procedures after a technician was exposed to a “higher than anticipated” radiation dose while working in a nuclear materials storage building.

The unidentified instrument technician was exposed Jan. 23 while performing maintenance in a Special Nuclear Materials Storage Facility at Pantex, which assembles, dismantles and modifies weapons for the U.S. atomic arsenal.

George Rangel, a spokesman for Pantex contractor Consolidated Nuclear Security, said the worker’s exposure was well below regulatory limits, but that the plant took a series of corrective steps after the incident.

“Upon learning of the incident, immediate actions were taken to re-emphasize with workers the importance of adhering to procedures and work package instructions, providing additional training to supervisors and involving radiation safety experts before proceeding with similar types of work that may be planned in other areas of the plant to ensure worker safety,” Rangel said.

Read more: http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2015-03-09/pantex-worker-exposed-radiation-dose