WIPP was an active participant in the national Mine Safety and Health Administration’s Stand Down to Save a Life day on Wednesday, intended to help reduce injuries in the mining community, which has seen 16 fatalities already this year.

Eight short stand-down meetings were held at WIPP throughout the day, led at the site by SIMCO Environmental Safety & Health Manager Ryan Flynn. In each meeting, mining and a wide variety of other personnel provided safety shares, which got discussions going about why safety is important on a personal level and ideas on ways to look out for each other.

MSHA representatives were on site and participated in the first session of the day, encouraging employees on topics from use of self-rescuers to keeping your eyes open for small risks.

SIMCO Mining/Underground Operations Manager Mike Marksberry said mining is a tough industry but the work can get done and done safely. He applauded employees for their efforts on recent corrective actions after an injury and encouraged more proactive actions so that injuries can be prevented.

Flynn and Marksberry assured employees that safety will always be prioritized at WIPP, with a focus on solving problems, not assigning blame. Employees were encouraged to not only report issues but consider how they might be addressed expeditiously.

Many who shared talked about the impact every employee has on those around them and how to talk to each other about risks, illustrating that safety starts and ends with people. Avoiding distractions and complacency were also discussed, along with some of the many reasons to value safety, like family members.

That morning also included breakfast burritos, which were handed out to say thank you for the important role each person plays in WIPP’s mission and safety culture.

SIMCO Geotechnical Engineer Eric Tucker and SIMCO Education Outreach Lead, Dr. Joy James Foster recently visited PR Leyva eighth grade students to present the WIPP 101 presentation and the WIPP Mine Rescue Robot. The presentation and demonstration were the culmination of the Robotics Week, which aimed to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

During the presentation, the students were introduced to the basics of robotics and its application in real-world scenarios. The WIPP Mine Rescue Robot was used as a part of the robotics lesson plan to demonstrate how it helps to keep workers safe in the event of a real emergency. The students watched in amazement as they observed the engineer maneuver the robot in and out of the simulated obstacle course.

The WIPP Mine Rescue Robot is a highly specialized piece of equipment designed to assist in the rescue of miners in the event of an emergency. It is equipped with a camera, lights, and two-way communication capabilities, allowing rescuers to navigate through dark, confined spaces safely. The robot is also capable of carrying supplies and equipment to assist in the rescue efforts.

The demonstration was a great opportunity for the students to learn about the importance of robotics in the real world. The students were able to see firsthand how technology can help save lives and keep workers safe in hazardous situations. The presentation and demonstration were well-received by the students, and many expressed interest in pursuing careers in STEM fields.

SIMCO is committed to promoting STEM education and inspiring the next generation of innovators. Through its outreach programs, SIMCO aims to create a better understanding of the role of technology in the world and how it can be used to make a positive difference. The WIPP Mine Rescue Robot demonstration was just one example of how SIMCO is making a difference in the community.

SIMCO’s commitment to promoting STEM education is commendable, and we hope to see more initiatives like this in the future.

Dept. of Energy authorizes SIMCO to begin operations work Feb. 4

CARLSBAD, New Mexico — On Feb. 4, Salado Isolation Mining Contractors, or SIMCO, will assume full responsibility for management and operation of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) that performs a vital mission for the U.S. Department of Energy’s national nuclear cleanup.

SIMCO is the company chosen by DOE to manage and operate WIPP, a work scope valued at up to $3 billion over 10 years if all options are exercised. In early November, the company began a 90-day effort to safely transition the management and operations for the WIPP to a new contract.

“We appreciated the incumbent workforce and local communities’ support and collaboration that ensured a smooth contract transition,” said Mark Bollinger, DOE’s acting manager for its Carlsbad Field Office that oversees WIPP. “The WIPP team did a great job to maintain its focus on safe and uninterrupted plant operations throughout the contract transition.”

SIMCO’s authorization to begin work under the new contract comes after DOE accepted the company’s ‘Declaration of Readiness’ for operations. The Declaration of Readiness capped off SIMCO’s transition effort that encompassed a comprehensive ‘People, Plant, Paper’ approach. This included a series of detailed activities for onboarding nearly 1,100 employees and people to the new contract; performing more than 110 plant inspections and program reviews; and transferring more than 5,500 existing procedures, policies, and documents to SIMCO. The company also met and consulted with dozens of local community leaders and elected officials throughout the transition.

“I’m looking forward to working alongside everyone and continuing safe and efficient operations at WIPP to support the DOE’s national cleanup mission,” said Ken Harrawood, SIMCO’s President and Program Manager at WIPP. “Our team is excited to begin a new era and partnership here at WIPP with our employees, local communities, and stakeholders.”

SIMCO’s core values of safety, quality, productivity, and cost effectiveness guided its approach during contract transition and will carry over into its operations under the new contract.

SIMCO is a single-purpose entity comprised of Bechtel National, Inc. SIMCO will utilize Los Alamos Technical Associates as a New Mexico-based small business teaming subcontractor.

About the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
WIPP, the United States’ only deep geological repository for nuclear waste, is a system of disposal rooms mined out of an ancient salt bed more than 2,000 feet underground. It has operated since 1999, accepting waste from 22 government sites across the U.S. The waste consists of clothing, tools, rags, debris, soil, and other items contaminated with small amounts of plutonium and other human-made radioactive elements, known as transuranic or TRU waste. The waste has been accumulating since the 1940s as part of the nation’s nuclear defense program.

About Bechtel National, Inc.
Bechtel National, the U.S. government services arm of Bechtel Corp., has more than 44 years of experience successfully managing DOE sites in Washington, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Through Bechtel’s global operations, the team brings world class mine construction, safety, and maintenance experience including cutting edge design and operations knowledge, and methods and tools to improve safety, schedule, and cost.