Nuclear site employee collapses and dies at work outside Hanford plant
A 42-year-old Hanford workers collapsed and died Wednesday on the Hanford nuclear site.
The man was working the night shift at the massive vitrification plant when he walked out to a portable toilet just before 6 a.m., said Benton County Deputy Coroner Dennis Morris.
Morris said the worker collapsed on his way back to work and was found by some other employees.
The workers immediately began CPR and called Hanford fire officials, said Staci West, a Bechtel National spokesperson.
Medical staff arrived within minutes and took over the life-saving efforts, but the man died at the plant.
While an autopsy is planned for Tuesday, there is no sign of foul play, Morris said.
The vitrification plant is being built in the center of the 580-square-mile reservation north of Richland to glassify some of the million of gallons of radioactive and hazardous chemical waste left from plutonium production for the nation’s nuclear weapons program.
It is currently being commissioned, producing glass but without incorporating radioactive waste yet.
West said the death did not appear to be work related.
Investigators are still working on gathering the man’s medical history.
Work was paused for part of Wednesday while Bechtel supported their team, West said.
“We will continue to operate the plant safely and with care,” she said. “Our thoughts are with their family loved ones and colleagues during this very difficult time.”
This story was originally published April 17, 2025 at 2:58 PM.