Energy Solutions-Bear Creek Operations Receives Volunteer STAR Safety Award

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley announced that EnergySolutions-Bear Creek Operations (BCO) in Oak Ridge was chosen to receive the Volunteer STAR (Safety Through Accountability and Recognition) award.

“EnergySolutions shows a continued dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace,” said Deputy Commissioner Bob Henningsen, who presented the Volunteer STAR award to the company today at the company’s facility located at 1560 Bear Creek Road, Oak Ridge. “We are pleased to honor this fine company for their notable safety record.”

The Volunteer STAR award is the state’s highest honor for workplace safety and health and a nationally recognized program. The Volunteer STAR is patterned after the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and recognizes the best of the best in the area of safety and health programming and performance.

EnergySolutions BCO in Oak Ridge employs 240 people and processes low-level radioactive waste and materials. This is the facility’s initial certification as a Volunteer STAR site.

For the three-year period 2004-2006, the site’s Three-year Total Case Incidence Rate (TCIR) is 2.38 or 39% below the current BLS industry average. The site’s Three-year Days Away from Work and Restricted Activity and/or Transfer Incidence Rate (DART) rate is 1.84 or 17% below the current BLS industry average. A certificate of recognition is awarded to the STAR recipient, as is a flag that can be flown at the site. The company is also permitted to use the Volunteer STAR logo on its correspondence and company documents.

The standard for participation in the STAR program is the confirmation of a company’s safety and health program, which helps reduce accidents and injuries. The program also allows employers to be removed from programmed compliance inspection lists for a period of three years.

For more information on the Volunteer STAR award program and other TOSHA award programs contact TOSHA’s Consultative Services office at (800) 325-9901.