INTERMECH, INC. FIRST CONSTRUCTION SUBCONTRACTOR IN DOE COMPLEX TO RECEIVE VPP STAR STATUS

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded Intermech, Inc. the agency’s Voluntary Protection Program’s STAR status recognition, the highest level of recognition available in DOE’s safety program. Never before has DOE awarded the STAR status to a construction subcontractor. Intermech provides construction services to Bechtel National, Inc. on the Waste Treatment Plant Project at the Hanford Site in Richland , Washington .

"Ensuring the safety and well-being of every individual performing important environmental cleanup tasks at our sites across the country is the Department's highest priority," said DOE Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management Jim Rispoli.  "The dedication of partners such as Intermech to promote a safety conscious work environment is key to accomplishing our mission at Hanford ."

In November, a team of DOE safety and health experts performed a week-long onsite evaluation of Intermech’s work practices throughout all areas of the site and interviewed employees and manager to assess their knowledge of VPP processes.  That assessment resulted in a recommendation to award Intermech the STAR status.

Intermech provides the design, fabrication and installation of nuclear quality ductwork for the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) of the main WTP facilities. They also support BNI’s VPP STAR status application by serving on the WTP VPP steering committee.

The WTP Construction Site is the largest federal construction project in the nation, employing hundreds of craft and professional workers who are building a first-of-kind radiochemical processing plant to treat and immobilize millions of gallons of radioactive liquid waste. Workers on this project face potential hazards from heavy equipment, electrical components and confined spaces, and their commitment to carrying out these tasks safely is extremely impressive.

“Working in a construction environment requires a strong focus and commitment to safety,” said DOE Office of River Protection Manager Shirley Olinger. “Intermech has demonstrated that commitment and focus as the first DOE construction subcontractor to attain VPP STAR status. Their accomplishment provides inspiration to other construction companies across the complex as they strive to attain VPP STAR status.”

The DOE Voluntary Protection Program promotes safety and health excellence through cooperative efforts among labor, management, and government at DOE contractor sites across the nation. DOE has also formed partnerships with other Federal agencies and the private sector for both advancing and sharing its VPP experiences and preparing for program challenges in the next century.

DOE initiated VPP in January 1994. The program also includes coverage of radiation protection/nuclear safety and emergency management because of the type and complexity of DOE facilities. Similar to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's VPP program, DOE VPP provides several proven benefits to participating sites, including improved labor/management relations, reduced workplace injuries and illnesses, increased employee involvement, improved morale, reduced absenteeism, and public recognition.

“As an important subcontractor, Intermech’s contribution is invaluable to the vit plant,” said WTP Project Director Bill Elkins. “Their achievement is inspirational as Bechtel strives to reach STAR status in the coming months, and I offer my congratulations and thank them for their commitment to safety.”

Intermech, with corporate offices in located in Winston-Salem , North Carolina , is BNI’s largest subcontractor for the WTP Project, located north of Richland. Intermech has regional operations centers located in Richland, WA, Idaho Falls, ID and McLeansville, NC.