Watchdog Finds Faults with Hanford Workers’ Comp

Government Executive: The Energy Department watchdog announced last week that it found the department has not exercised necessary oversight over its workers’ compensation program for contractors at the Hanford, Wash., nuclear site, leading to more than $21 million in missed payments to state agencies.

An audit by Energy’s Office of the Inspector General found that a general lack of communication and oversight by department officials led to missed payments, incomplete documentation, questionable charges and a perception of intimidation against some workers making claims. But investigators were not able to find direct evidence to “confirm or refute” workers’ concerns.

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