TA-53 and LANL have a lessons- learned program to help workers use operational experiences to improve safety, security, or the effectiveness of their activities. This section describes some recent lessons learned at TA-53 and other DOE laboratories to help you plan and carry out work.

Recognize hazards of routine activities

Just because an activity is routine does not reduce its hazards. In 2002, a team of LANSCE employees worked for several weeks moving heavy shielding. Many of the loads required detailed task plans. Near the end of the project, they had to move a much smaller, 250-lb steel beam. Because it was a small load, the team did not discuss a plan for loading and unloading the beam. They did not clearly identify the roles for each person performing the task. Then, because there was not enough space, the forklift could not move the beam directly into position. When one of the spotters tried to move the beam from the forklift tine to its correct position, the beam fell on another worker’s foot. The result was a serious injury. The workers learned that even routine forklift operations require planning, and each person involved in a shared task must know his or her responsibilities.