Savannah River Nuclear Solutions’ (SRNS) Construction Services department has taken its commitment to safety to new heights with the innovative “Green Eyes Safety Review Team.” Since 2022, this team has offered a ‘fresh eyes’ approach to inspecting construction activities, shops, storage and laydown areas across the Savannah River Site (SRS).

This initiative reinforces SRS’ 75-year legacy as a safety leader, with the Site garnering over 200 safety-related awards since 2008. SRNS-Construction completed 2024 without a single lost workday, bringing the total to over 2 million hours of work since the last lost workday.

“Safety is never an afterthought with this group,” said Chandler Elkins, SRNS Director of Construction Services. “This team is another layer of added security to our construction activities and has been recognized as a best practice by many of our facility customers who find it both valuable and insightful.”

The Green Eyes Safety Review Team conducts monthly facility and fieldwork inspections to ensure compliance with safety protocols. They engage with field workers to ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and identify any safety concerns or hazards within work areas. Inspections consist of a walkdown of work scopes, a review of work packages, Safety Task Assignment Risk Reduction Talk (STARRT) cards, Technical Work Documents, and checklists. Additionally, they help establish clean and efficient storage and fabrication areas to prevent future inefficiencies. Findings are documented, and area management is informed of both positive and negative outcomes.

“Our primary goal is to provide proactive oversight to mitigate risks in construction and operations before incidents occur,” said Corbin Seigler, SRNS Construction Program Compliance and Fire Protection Coordinator. “Our team offers coaching on PPE mishaps and proper barricade use, assists with work package documentation, and ensures storage areas adhere to procedural guidelines.”

Bobby Hill, SRNS Construction Site Superintendent echoed this sentiment, “Over time, area workers have become more comfortable being assessed and understand the Site’s expectations more clearly, reinforcing good behavior and practices. We are developing a culture where workers feel safe bringing up issues, knowing the team will find solutions without repercussions.”

The core safety team consists of an area representative, a program compliance representative, a safety representative, a craft general foreman, a construction discipline engineer and a construction manager. Focus areas for evaluations include General Plant, H-Canyon, Tritium, Surplus Plutonium Disposition, the Savannah River National Laboratory, and N, L, and K areas.

"We believe in identifying and addressing behavioral issues internally to maintain our excellent safety track record,” Elkins concluded. “The Green Eyes Safety Review Team continues to play a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing the culture of safety at SRS, ensuring a safer environment for all employees and contractors.”