Pennsylvania DEP Fines Schuylkill Valley Engineering $10,000 for Radiation Protection Act Violations

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Environmental Protection has received $10,000 from Schuylkill Valley Engineering in Reading, Berks County, as a result of a consent order and agreement for violations of the Radiation Protection Act.

"Companies that use radioactive material for their business practices should always follow DEP regulations and maintain proper records," DEP South-central Regional Director Rachel Diamond said. "It is important that these procedures be followed for health and safety reasons."

DEP fined Schuylkill Valley Engineering after three inspections turned up various violations. The first inspection in August 2008 revealed the company changed its radiation safety officer without notifying DEP, did not possess the proper records on site, failed to have current emergency procedures in place, failed to properly secure locks on its portable gauging device and did not maintain records of radiation doses to which workers were exposed. DEP issued a notice of violation in October 2008.

On the second and third inspections, in October 2009 and March 2011, DEP learned the company repeated these violations and was over the limit of how much radioactive material it could possess. It also did not have safety signs posted at the site. DEP issued notices of violation in November 2009 and April 2011.

As part of the consent order, Schuylkill Valley Engineering submitted corrective action plans to DEP after each inspection.

For more information, visit www.dep.state.pa.us or call 717-705-4700.

Media contact: Lisa Kasianowitz, 717-787-1323

SOURCE Department of Environmental Protection South-central Regional Office