Annual Safety Expo Strengthens SRS Culture, Community and Confidence

A wide variety of booths at the annual Safety Expo at the Savannah River Site engaged employees in many aspects of safety and security.

AIKEN, S.C. — The Savannah River Site (SRS) hosted its annual Safety Expo this spring, featuring over 80 informational booths designed to educate and engage more than 4,000 attendees on a range of topics, allowing them to learn more about safety and security resources available both onsite and in local communities.

Event sponsor Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), the SRS management and operations contractor, welcomed employees from all SRS contractors for two-and-a-half days of safety engagement at the New Ellenton Parks and Recreation Center in New Ellenton, South Carolina. Expo booths shared information ranging from safety, security and environmental stewardship to personal health, wellness and community services designed to improve quality of life.

Nearly two dozen Local Safety Improvement Teams hosted interactive booths at the expo. Each team is an organized group dedicated to an area or facility, serving as a management-worker communication bridge and fostering worker involvement to achieve the goal of zero injuries.

Participants from SRS liquid waste contractor Savannah River Mission Completion, security services contractor Centerra, Savannah River National Laboratory, U.S. Forest Service and several community organizations also hosted booths, which featured safety and security centered games, quizzes and more.

A new initiative launched at the expo this year to help give back to the New Ellenton community with a food drive. Employees who brought non-perishable goods were entered into a drawing. Three winners walked away with a 70-inch TV and two tablet computers. SRNS also donated $1,000 to the cause.

“An event of this size requires a lot of planning, effort and hard work on everyone’s part,” said Safety Expo Planning Lead and Health and Safety Manager Lea Simons. “Thank you to everyone who pours their time, engagement and enthusiasm into this event each year. Without our employees’ active participation, a successful safety exposition would not be possible.”

Beyond safety, the expo creates an opportunity for employees to network with colleagues outside their usual circles. This year, the event hosted a record-breaking 12 food vendors with a mix of offerings, including gluten-free options.

“What I enjoyed most about the Safety Expo is the sense of comradery — reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones,” said SRS L Area Production Operator Rhonneka McCoy. “This was my second time attending, and what stood out the most was the creativity, effort and pride on display. Every booth brought something unique to the table while staying focused on safety.”

Duane McLane, SRNS senior vice president of environment, safety, health and quality, called the expo a great success.

“The Local Safety Improvement Teams volunteers, booths and attendance reaffirmed the commitment, involvement and dedication of our workforce to safety,” McLane said. “Thank you to all who volunteered and attended to keep safety the top priority at SRNS and the site.”

-Contributor: Fallan Flatow