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Local
Companies | Article published October 23, 2002
Davis-Besse worker sues over suspension
OAK HARBOR, Ohio - A Davis-Besse worker is
suing FirstEnergy Corp. on the grounds it made him a scapegoat for
crane problems that have put the nuclear plant’s repairs further
behind schedule.
Timothy G. Tackett of Port Clinton claims
FirstEnergy should not have suspended him Sept. 19 for his role in
overseeing modifications made to the utility’s Polar Crane inside
the plant’s containment building. The crane, a permanent fixture in
that part of the plant, was used to remove Davis-Besse’s damaged
reactor head this summer and is supposed to be used to install the
replacement cover this fall or early next year.
(For
more Davis-Besse coverage, go to www.toledoblade.com/davisbesse)
FirstEnergy
ordered minor improvements to the crane before the old reactor head
was removed, but several were not made. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission officials expressed disappointment at a meeting in
September upon learning that Mike Stevens, FirstEnergy director of
work management, discovered some of the unfinished tasks
himself.
Mr. Stevens, who supervises Mr. Tackett, ordered a
temporary work shutdown.
Mr. Tackett is an advanced nuclear
technologist in the plant’s maintenance support department. His role
was to oversee the crane modifications, Richard Wilkins, a
FirstEnergy spokesman, said.
At one point on Sept. 13, a
contractor was nearly electrocuted while performing unauthorized
work, according to the lawsuit.
The document claims Mr.
Tackett was wrongfully put on administrative leave after he was
"accused of having intentionally misrepresented the facts in regards
to what work needed to be done with the crane."
The lawsuit
claims he is not being compensated while on leave, but Mr. Tackett
acknowledged yesterday that he is still getting paid and receiving
benefits. He declined to comment about his lawsuit. His attorney,
Frank Landry, of Toledo, did not return calls seeking
comment.
FirstEnergy had little to say, other than that the
crane modifications did not meet company standards. The incomplete
work included items such as light bulbs, screws, and wiring, Mr.
Wilkins said.
(For more Davis-Besse coverage, go to www.toledoblade.com/davisbesse)
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