COURTESY ENTERGY
PLYMOUTH – Two employees at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth have been suspended after failing a test that measures drug and alcohol use last week.
One employee was identified as a licensed operator who failed the test on July 27, and the other, a supervisor, failed the test on July 31.
It was the first offense for each of them, according to Entergy Spokeswoman Lauren Burm.
“We had two instances but we feel confident that these are coincidental. There is no pattern here and I think what’s really important is that our testing program works,” said Burm.
The Fitness for Duty test that Entergy conducts at the plant is random and tests an average of 11 to 22 employees per week.
Over the last five years, 13 failed the test, including the two recently suspended.
Burm said she could not disclose the nature of the tests.
Employees are subject to a minimum 14-day suspension and mandatory referral to the Employee Assistance Program for their first offense.
A second offense results in the permanent denial of unescorted access at Pilgrim.
Burm said these incidents are not unique in workplaces throughout the country.
“I think in any sort of industry that you work in, these types of things happen,” said Burm. “What goes on here isn’t unique, however our testing program is identifying those employees who aren’t following the rules and preventing them from being on the job.”
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