subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, Nov 21 2009 

Published: December 12, 2007 11:57 am    print this story  

Lab to increase safety, analyze stored weapons

By Ronica Shannon
Register News Writer

The groundbreaking Tuesday of a new analytical laboratory at the Blue Grass Army Depot will mark another step toward preparing for the destruction of chemical weapons in storage.

The building will be better equipped to support the chemical weapons destruction plant, said Dick Sloan, public affairs officer for Blue Grass Chemical Activity (BGCA) located at the Blue Grass Army Depot.

The 2,500-square-foot building will replace the 650-square-foot building constructed 25 years ago.

“There’s going to be additional needed room in the new lab,” said Rhonda Shay, BGCA engineer. “We will create a better working environment for our laboratory technicians and additional work stations to give us the capability to handle all foreseeable laboratory requirements.”

The lab will double the capabilities of the original lab, Sloan said.

“There was a lot of criticism about out lab,” he said. “It’s just old and decrepit, but you can’t have everything at once. And now, it’s time for a new lab.”

The new facility is estimated to cost about $600,000 for construction, and the laboratory equipment is expected to cost about $426,000.

Once constructed, the lab will increase the safety margin for employees, and allows analytical analysis (of weapons in storage) to be done “in a far better environment,” Sloan said.

“We intend to build a very robust laboratory that will take care of all of our monitoring and analytical needs until the stockpile is completely destroyed,” said Lt. Col. Tom Closs, BGCA commander.

An administration area, more storage space and better lighting are a few more perks the new building will offer, Sloan said.

It will be located next to the personnel protective equipment facility that was dedicated in April 2005.

This facility is the U.S. Army’s main provider of both individual protective equipment and chemical defense equipment.

The Army requires that each soldier obtain certain types of protective gear before going into battle. The BGAD stores these items and sends them to mobilization sites prior to soldier deployment.

The personnel protective equipment facility does not play a role in the destruction of the chemical weapons stored at the depot, but is proof that not only are depot employees working toward destroying the deadly nerve-agent-filled weapons, but are still working to supply U.S. soldiers with the protective equipment they need to save their lives during battle, Sloan said.

The new analytical laboratory is scheduled to be complete by the summer of 2008.

The groundbreaking ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday and will be on the Blue Grass Army Depot site, and guests are by invitation only.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.

print this story  



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

NOW HIRING CDL driver
Now taking applications for a CDL driver. Local delivery. Apply in person @
84 Lumber, Richmond.
No phone cal
...>MORE

Kidz Zone now hiring FT & PT teachers and
Kidz Zone now hiring FT & PT teachers and assistants day and night positions. Call 986-0099....>MORE

Experienced bartender needed.
Experienced bartender needed.
Call 200-4910.
Fax resume to: 626-6336
...>MORE

Furniture World Superstore in Richmond
Furniture World Superstore in Richmond has an opening for a salesperson.
Excellent pay and benefits. Resume's accep
...>MORE

Local heating & cooling company now hiring
Local heating & cooling company now hiring for position of
Service Coordinator.
Must have excellent phone &
...>MORE

Obsession Salon
Obsession Salon
Booths for rent.
Check us out at Obsession Salon, Richmond, KY
200-0717, 582-6839
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Autos

1996 Mercury Grand Marquis LS. 109K miles
1996 Mercury Grand Marquis LS. 109K miles. Dark blue leather. 4.6L-V8, Michelin Tires on Aluminum Wheels, all power acce...>MORE

2003 Dodge Work Vern for sale
2003 Dodge work Van
for sale. Ladder rack
and shelves. Call
859-582-1798.
...>MORE

Looking for a Great Auto Deal?
Looking to buy or sell? Check here for the Premium Auto Section. For More Information Call 859-624-6681. ...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Rentals

Hillcrest Subd: 3bd, 2.5ba, 1car gar. duple
Hillcrest Subd: 3bd, 2.5ba, 1car gar. duplex and 2bd, 1.5ba townhouse. Call 859-200-2600....>MORE

1 & 2 Bdrms.
1 & 2 Bdrms.
Close to campus & I75.
$350-$550mo.
859-582-3111.
...>MORE

Look whats avail now White house Village
White House Village
Offers the only unique
Estate like setting in Richmond. We have available 2 Bd flats, 2
...>MORE

See all ads

Deal of the Day

Everything from A-Z!!!
Need to sell your bedroom suite, washer and dryer, or even selling an animal? Call Mayme or Melissa at 859-624-6681 to p...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index