By Al Spadafora, Director, Radiological Controls
July 16, 2018
What we do is too important to not maintain the highest of standards. Audits and inspections of our work are an essential part of assessing our performance and identifying where we need to improve.
During the week of June 4-8, 2018, a team of specialists from Naval Reactors headquarters and the local Naval Reactors Representative Office examined one of the company’s most important core competencies – our ability to perform naval nuclear work.
The Naval Reactors team inspected work sites, observed work-in-process, and interviewed employees to evaluate the company’s performance to Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program standards. Naval Reactors’ thorough evaluation is extremely important and helps validate our procedures, processes, training and the quality of the work done by the men and women of Electric Boat.
While the Naval Reactors’ evaluation team provided a critical assessment of our weak areas, they also concluded that our performance of naval nuclear work was satisfactory and extended our authorization to perform this vitally important work. During the evaluation out-brief and throughout the week, the team reiterated their appreciation for the work we do to help the U.S. Navy protect the American people and their freedoms by building the world’s most advanced nuclear-powered submarines.
Since USS Nautilus (SSN 571) first signaled “UNDERWAY ON NUCLEAR POWER” over 63 years ago in 1955, our nuclear-powered ships have demonstrated their superiority in defending the country – from the Cold War, to today’s unconventional threats, to advances that will ensure the dominance of American sea power well into the future.
It is important to emphasize that the exacting work you perform every day directly results in the safe reliability of U.S. nuclear-powered warships, which continue to be welcomed in more than 150 ports of call in over 50 foreign countries.
Remember, what you do matters – every day.
