Los Alamos National Laboratory just issued the following memo to employees regarding an incident that occurred today at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE):
To employees regarding injuries at LANSCE
This is an informational memorandum from the Los Alamos National Laboratory Communications and Public Affairs Office:
On Sunday (May 3), during preventive maintenance operations at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), a Laboratory employee was burned while working at an electrical substation. The employee was transported offsite for medical treatment and is listed in critical condition.
Eight other employees were also transported to Los Alamos Medical Center in connection with the accident; seven of those employees were later released, and one employee remains at LAMC for observation.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
Due to ongoing activities to ensure the continuing safety of the workforce and facilities, numerous areas at LANSCE are without power and will remain without power until further notice. Employees who normally work at LANSCE in areas affected by the power outage should, if possible, find opportunities to catch up on training or perform other beneficial work at home, at LANSCE buildings that have power, or at public locations such as the J. Robert Oppenheimer Study Center.
All affected employees should contact their supervisors to communicate what their plans are during the power outage.
The following buildings at LANSCE do have power, and employees in these areas should report to work as usual: (from west to east) Buildings 2, 47, 46, 45, 44, 526, 365, 18, 19, 31, 14, 6, 17, 29, 1302, 1265, 400, 404, 406, 407, 882, and 27.
The Communications and Public Affairs Office will provide further updates as they become available.
Aerial view of LANSCE, looking east to west. Additional facilities at Los Alamos National Laboratory are visible to the west.
Lujan Center: Creates neutrons used in the materials, engineering, chemistry, nanotechnology, biological, medical, and geological sciences. Neutron scattering is used to research, for example, high explosives for the weapons program.
Weapons Neutron Research: Provides nuclear data crucial to the Stockpile Stewardship Program as well as for other basic, applied, and defense-related research.
Proton Radiography: Uses 800-MeV protons for imaging dynamic experiments in support of national and international weapons science and the Stockpile Stewardship Program.
Isotope Production Facility: Produces radioactive isotopes for medicine and research that are in short supply. For example, enough strontium-82 is produced to aid 20,000 heart patients each month.
Ultracold Neutrons: Generates the most intense, ultracold neutrons in the world. Cold neutrons are needed for experiments on the fundamental laws of physics and aid in the quest for new particles.
Materials Test Station: Tests materials and fuels for use in advanced fast reactors. MTS is under development.
Linear Accelerator: Supports all of these facilities.