OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Recovery Act workers at Oak Ridge’s Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) recently celebrated achieving two years of Recovery Act work without a lost workday injury.

Through Recovery Act funds, Y-12 was able to begin seven major projects, with five substantially complete to date, that have employed more than 1,600 individuals since work began in May 2009. B&W Y-12, the managing and operating contractor for the site, has overseen Recovery Act work at the site. The recent safety milestone is particularly significant given the difficult conditions surrounding the work—dilapidated buildings dating back to the 1940’s, bulky protective equipment, and historically high and low temperatures.

“Our site’s commitment to safety is exemplified through these most recent statistics,” said Ted Sherry, Y-12 Site Office Manager. “To accomplish Y-12’s level and complexity of work with no lost-time injuries is a testament to our employees, project managers, and safety personnel.”

The Recovery Act funds at Y-12 are part of $755 million received by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office Environmental Management program for projects in Oak Ridge. Y-12’s projects include:  demolition of Building 9735, the 9206 filter house, and four buildings in the Biology Complex; disposition of legacy material from buildings Alpha 5 and Beta 4; cleanup of the Old Salvage Yard; and remediation of the West End Mercury Area’s storm sewers.

B&W Y-12, a limited liability enterprise of The Babcock and Wilcox Company and Bechtel National Inc., was selected to operate the Y-12 National Security Complex for the National Nuclear Security Administration in 2000. Y-12 maintains and enhances the safety, security, effectiveness, and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile; reduces the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and provides expertise and training to respond to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.