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Tunnel Collapses at Hanford Nuclear Reservation

posted by takyon on Thursday May 11 2017, @01:43AM   Printer-friendly
from the bury-it dept.

butthurt writes:

KING-TV reports that "a tunnel full of highly contaminated materials collapsed" in a reprocessing facility at the Hanford nuclear site. An official said "The facility does have radiological contamination right now but there is no indication of a radiological release." The U.S. Department of Energy released statements (archived copy) saying that employees were "told to shelter in place" and that non-essential employees were sent home.

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday May 11 2017, @04:51PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday May 11 2017, @04:51PM (#508178)

    Wait why are we paying non-essential employees? If they're not essential then they don't deserve to get paid and they don't deserve to live either. Fire all the useless employees and let them die on their own time.

    Just in case you are being serious...

    "Essential" doesn't mean "sustainable."

    For example, in a car, the only "essential" thing you need is an engine and wheels. Handy things like windshields and seat cushions don't qualify.

    Another example: the only "essential" thing you need in a business is cash to pay your debts. However, without marketers to sell you product, engineers to make your product, accountants to make sure you are paying the right people, lawyers to make sure you following the laws, managers to make sure everybody is doing their job, and a plethora of "non-essential staff," your business will quickly come to an bankrupt end.

    I'm sure they could keep the lights on and be safe for days, weeks, and maybe even months with a dramatically reduced staff. Just don't be surprised in 5 years when the pipes in the water supply lines start leaking and nobody knows how to fix them.