§6261 Worker Protection at Nuclear Weapons Facilities

Summary

The Secretary of Energy can give grants to qualified non-profit groups so they can train people who handle dangerous chemicals or respond to emergencies at DOE nuclear weapons sites and so they can create training courses. Grants go to non-profits that have shown they can run worker health and safety training and that can find and include the workers who do hazardous response. The Secretary must prefer employee groups and joint labor‑management training programs that got grants under section 126(g) of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 9660a). Grantees must follow DOE safety training orders, including orders 5480.4 and 5480.11. The Secretary can fine DOE contractors who hire these responders if the contractor fails to train them or to certify they are properly trained under the DOE orders. Fines may be up to $5,000 for each day the problem continues. The Secretary must make rules to run this program. Hazardous substance here includes radioactive waste and mixed radioactive and hazardous waste.