The Operations Excellence Council provides a senior management forum focused on delivering leading-edge science, and developing a strong commitment to, and culture around, research and operational excellence throughout the laboratory. The council supports timely, transparent and effective decision-making on operational programs. It communicates customer feedback, needs and priorities, and reviews lab performance targets and metrics.
Safety Share
Recent on-site incidents include an iPad striking an employee’s finger and a monitor stand falling off an employee’s desk due to the monitor outweighing the stand’s limit. Kim Sawyer, deputy laboratory director for operations/chief operations officer, reiterated that we should never assume everything is safe in our work environment. Report any concerns to safety@anl.gov.
Ombuds Introduction and Overview
Kim welcomed laboratory Ombuds Brad Ginn (OTD) and complimented him on the previous day’s presentation at the All-Hands meeting.
In this role, Brad is a confidential, informal, impartial, and independent resource for any Argonne employee who may have a concern, issue, or conflict. All appointments and discussions are confidential unless the person visiting Brad gives him permission to talk to somebody or he learns of an imminent risk of serious harm. Talking to Brad does not give legal notice to Argonne of an issue. Meetings are by appointment only. The ombuds office is located in the Argonne Guest House, Room B, but he will have no hesitation meeting in a different location. Brad hopes to engage further with the Lab; brochures containing more information of services are forthcoming.
Leadership Institute Listening Session
HRS Senior Director and Chief Human Resources Officer Julie Nuter discussed the Leadership Institute Listening Sessions. The purpose of the listening session is to understand how best the lab could build on a foundation of success, deliver on the current Impact Argonne talent agenda, and identify a path forward. Kensington International was engaged to hold a series of listening sessions to gather broad Laboratory input. There were more than 70 participants from across the programmatic and operations area. Next steps include:
- Hire a Director of the Leadership Institute
- Drive increased transparency and communication
- Focus on sharing strategy plans
- Two key priority areas: diversity and inclusion, and learning and development
Hazardous Risk Registry
Routine operations are scheduled for the Irradiated Materials Lab (IML) to transfer irradiated test samples in/out of the facility and between hot cells.
The Advanced Photon Source will begin installation of new beam lines. A vendor from France will perform work that includes critical lifting and welding. Plans have been reviewed as well as the job questionnaire. Senior Engineering Specialist Andy Stevens (FAC) will overlook this four-week project. Close coordination with neighboring beam lines and facilities will occur if additional work is required after the shutdown.
In the next few weeks, Infrastructure Services will have two projects occurring in Building 375; electrical equipment investigation and removal and disassembly and removal of legacy accelerator equipment components and instrumentation.