June 18, 2026
Summer interns
To the UCOR Workforce:Our 2026 summer interns are now established in their work assignments. They’re wearing green lanyards for visibility, and I hope you’ll spot them and welcome them to Team UCOR.We have 37 talented interns this summer working across the company representing 12 schools from seven
June 17, 2026
Trenching Safety
When working in and around trenches, the most common potential hazards include cave-ins, hazardous atmospheres, falling objects or debris, and struck-by or caught-between scenarios.Remember to use the following safe practices when working in or around trenches:Maintain a safe way to enter and exit –
June 11, 2026
Participating in LSITs
To the UCOR Workforce:As I’m sure you know, one of the five elements of the Voluntary Protection Program is employee involvement. That’s important because you are the ones doing the work and know what could be made safer. Across UCOR, I see and appreciate how actively focused the team is on safety
June 11, 2026
Trailer Safety Week
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, passenger vehicle trailer-towing accidents are prominent. During 2023, more than 69,000 passenger vehicle trailer-towing crashes are estimated to have resulted in 500 fatalities and 25,000 nonfatal injuries with Tennessee having
June 4, 2026
To the UCOR Workforce:You may have heard a little about a big project going on to modernize UCOR’s business systems—the Paragon Project. When the Training and HR track is implemented this fall, it is going to greatly improve our business efficiency.Imagine being able to use a personal portal for man
June 4, 2026
CPR and AED AwarenessMission
Sudden cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function caused by an electrical malfunction. It prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching the brain and vital organs, leading to death within minutes if untreated.An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a sophisticated yet easy-to-use portable m
May 28, 2026
UCOR responding to Top Workplaces feedback
To the UCOR Workforce:Last month, I shared the exciting news about UCOR winning the USA Today Top Workplaces award and how incredibly proud I am to be part of this team. That award is a direct result of your honest feedback in our February survey and reflects the “Top Workplace” culture we’ve built
May 27, 2026
Mental Health Awareness
Mental health is a critical component of overall wellbeing, influencing how we think, feel, and act. It impacts nearly every aspect of our lives—relationships, communication, decision-making, sleep, physical health, etc.Establishing good mental wellbeing is key to navigating life and achieving your
May 21, 2026
Award-winning progress at Y-12
As mentioned earlier this week in Newsline, our successful teardown of the Alpha-2 facility at Y-12 has earned us national recognition—the prestigious 2026 Joseph R. La Rocca Union Project of the Year Award, presented by The Association of Union Contractors (TAUC). TAUC also awarded us the 2026 Thom
May 20, 2026
Memorial Day Weekend Safety
As we approach Memorial Day weekend, take measures to remain focused while at work. If your mind is wandering from the task being performed, slow down and pause to regain situational awareness. Before leaving for the holiday, secure and configure work areas and make sure to address anticipated weath
May 18, 2026
Lithium Battery Safety
Lithium batteries are generally safe and unlikely to fail when designed, manufactured, and used properly. When lithium batteries fail to operate safely or are damaged, they may present a fire and/or explosion hazard. Damage from improper use, storage, or charging may also cause lithium batteries to
May 14, 2026
Cleanup momentum at ORNL
To the UCOR Workforce:UCOR’s cleanup momentum continues across the Oak Ridge Reservation. At ORNL, we have added another aging facility, Building 3544 Process Waste Treatment Plant, to the cleanup sequence while continuing to advance demolition readiness across the heart of central campus through in
May 13, 2026
Earbud and Headset Use
Where allowed, the use of earbuds or a headset at work can help boost focus and reduce distractions. However, they can also introduce safety risks that should be taken into consideration.Communication: Does the use of earbuds or a headset increase or decrease your ability to communicate with those a
May 7, 2026
A message from Jim Blankenhorn – Video conversation
To the UCOR Workforce:I was delighted to sit down with our Public Affairs team last week to record a video focusing on a variety of topics. We crafted this conversation to cover areas identified in questions we received directly from employees. I hope you find this video informative, and I look forw
May 6, 2026
Ladder Safety – Preventing Falls
While ladders are common tools, they cause a significant number of injuries and even fatalities each year. Falls from ladders, which are completely preventable, are among the leading causes of deaths on construction sites.Use the following guidelines to reduce the risk of ladder-related accidents:Se
April 30, 2026
Note to the workforce – Using innovative approaches
To the UCOR Workforce:I’ve always been impressed with the innovative approaches UCOR has used to ensure work is completed efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively. It started at the beginning of UCOR’s first contract with the waste factory method—employing a waste hauling and transportation system
April 29, 2026
UCOR receives 2026 Engineering.com Top Workplace award
To Team UCOR:On the heels of the Top Workplaces award our President announced last week, I am proud to share that UCOR has been named a 2026 Engineering.com Top Workplace! This new award is a collaboration between Energage (our survey partner) and Engineering.com. It recognizes “companies that prior
April 29, 2026
Excavation Safety
Whether on the job or working at home, excavations of any size can become hazardous. Soil collapse, hazardous atmospheres, underground utilities, and falls/falling objects are the primary hazards to plan for so that you can work safely:Call utility locator services before digging.Use caution and avo
April 23, 2026
UCOR named Top Workplace by USA Today
I’m pleased to share that Team UCOR has earned USA TODAY’s “Top Workplaces USA” award for 2026! This is the third consecutive year that UCOR has won this national award, and we are the only Amentum-led company to capture this honor.UCOR also won five additional “Culture Excellence Awards” from Top W
April 22, 2026
Medication and Heat
Prescription and over-the-counter medications can negatively impact our ability to safely work in heated environments. Certain medications can:Reduce the thirst sensationInterfere with the ability to control the body’s temperatureImpair the ability to sweat and properly cool the bodyIncrease the ris
April 9, 2026
Nonconforming Parts Alert
Multiple faster components supplied by IBIDE Corporation have been identified as potentially deficient and nonconforming. A nonconforming item refers to any item—ranging from raw materials to fully assembled products—that does not meet one or more of its established requirements, standards, or speci
April 8, 2026
A message from Jim Blankenhorn – Organizational changes
To the UCOR Workforce:I am pleased to announce changes to our senior leadership team and organization. The changes the leadership team and I have made positions UCOR for the future, increases our organizational efficiency, and better aligns with our client. Our reorganization is built around mission
April 1, 2026
Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls
While slips, trips, and falls can seem like minor incidents, they can lead to serious and life-changing injuries. Most of these incidents are caused by poor housekeeping, unsafe walking surfaces, or distractions. To reduce the risk of a slip, trip, or fall, focus on the following:Keep work areas cle
March 31, 2026
A message from Jim Blankenhorn – Employee Concerns Program
To All UCOR and Subcontractor Employees:United Cleanup Oak Ridge LLC (UCOR) is committed to fostering and maintaining a strong safety culture to ensure a safety conscious work environment is established and nurtured through leadership, employee/worker engagement, and organizational learning. Manage