While safety is a serious topic, using creative and engaging tactics to reinforce safe behaviors and procedures can be more effective in delivering messages that employees will retain. August 18, 2026
Office of Environmental Management
August 18, 2026
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Engineers from the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant participated in a radiological safety-themed escape room.
RICHLAND, Wash. — While safety is a serious topic, using creative and engaging tactics to reinforce safe behaviors and procedures can be more effective in delivering messages that employees will retain.
In that vein, safety professionals at the Hanford Site's Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) created an immersive experience modeled on the popular escape room concept for their workforce to boost employee involvement and enhance knowledge of procedures and requirements.
"The goal is to engage employees in a memorable learning experience that strengthens our safety culture,” said Mat Irwin, Hanford Field Office assistant manager for the WTP. “It’s a fun way to challenge our team and reinforce important safety practices.”
Called “Containment Breach,” the escape room challenges teams of four to solve radiological safety-themed puzzles, find clues and respond to simulated safety scenarios. This provides teams with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they receive during radiological worker training.
“By actively involving employees in hands-on, memorable training, the escape room helps translate safety knowledge into real-world behaviors, potentially lowering workplace accidents and near misses,” said Brian Hartman, WTP project director. “It contributes to safer operations and supports our culture of continuous improvement.”
The room’s puzzles and challenges cover important topics such as reviewing radiological work permits, identifying the correct personal protective equipment for the job, performing radiological surveys and more. Each week’s team with the fastest time is featured in the WTP employee newsletter.
The idea for the escape room came from a member of WTP’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) team after hearing about success of a similar escape room during the 2024 VPP Participants’ Association annual Safety & Health Summit.
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