‘Ripe for lawsuits’

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. faces potential lawsuits if it fails to address health and safety concerns at its main power plant in Lower Base, according to former CUC consultant Ramon “Kumoi” S. Guerrero.

For instance, Guerrero said that masks are not given to all power plant staff and vendors while removal of the asbestos roof is ongoing.

“Why are masks not being issued or made available to all power plant staff and other vendors working on site? The future liability issue to CUC is a lawyer’s dream,” he said in his July 25 final report to CUC.

Basic needs of personnel, such as a grease removing hand soap is not available, he added.

Further, Guerrero called on the CUC management to promote “teamwork” at the power plant to prevent acute demoralization among personnel. He described “the general atmosphere” in Power Plant 1 as “extremely relaxed,” saying that many staff “find excuses for not doing work.”

“A large number of shift operation crews spend most of each hour in the control room, going out only to take readings, while windows between the control rooms are so dirty that the generators cannot be seen,” said Guerrero in the report, which he had prepared with fellow consultant, engineer Roger Kitchingham.

The two reported that the basement “is flooded” with oil and fuel, toilet condition violates OSHA standards, and that engines and the floor need cleaning.

“The overall effect is to demoralize the hardworking core of staff that wants the plant to work and look clean. Management should encourage all staff to work as a team,” said Guerrero.

Guerrero and Kitchingham finished their consultancy contract with CUC early this month.

In the same report, the two said that CUC’s fuel delivery system and tanks are deteriorating fast and need urgent attention or the government would face severe federal fines.

They said all of the eight engines at Power Plant 1 are in serious condition, except engines 6 and 7, “which do not appear to be in too much trouble.”

The report went on to detail a laundry list of defects and problems at the power plant, including severe leaks at one engine that Guerrero said could lead to a fire at the plant.

The report also warned of the possible collapse of CUC should it proceed with its plans to privatize the power plant.