DEP to Security Guards: ‘Say Goodbye to your Handhelds’

Are video games posing a threat to our power facilities’ national security? A recent unannounced surveillance by the Department of Environment Protection (DEP) in the Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear power plant staging post reveals that the answer might be “Yes”.

The TMI security guard stationed at the post during the surveillance – done from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. – was seen playing a hand-held video game. Technically, no rule was violated. Officers manning staging posts are actually allowed to use “electronic devices” and mind-stimulating activities (i.e. reading) to keep their attention levels while on duty. As long as the guard on duty can perform his duty – respond to frequent radio checks to confirm that they are indeed attentive and will be able to respond when the need arises – he is permitted to engage in activities such as computer use and video games.

The guard in question did respond to radio checks, but he, however, seemed so engaged in the game that he failed to notice the inspector approaching repeatedly. “The issue is not the guard’s use of the video game, because current procedures don’t specifically prohibit those games. The real issue is that his complete absorption in the game distracted him from noticing the repeated approach of our inspector. And that shows why this procedure needs to be changed and these video games disallowed,” says DEP Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty.

Due to this incident, the DEP will now be coordinating with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and nuclear plant operators to review policies and possibly prohibit staging post guard’s use of handheld video games.

Aren’t you glad you’re not a nuclear plant security guard?

Are video games posing a threat to our power facilities’ national security? A recent unannounced surveillance by the Department of Environment Protection (DEP) in the Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear power plant staging post reveals that the answer might be “Yes”.

The TMI security guard stationed at the post during the surveillance – done from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. – was seen playing a hand-held video game. Technically, no rule was violated. Officers manning staging posts are actually allowed to use “electronic devices” and mind-stimulating activities (i.e. reading) to keep their attention levels while on duty. As long as the guard on duty can perform his duty – respond to frequent radio checks to confirm that they are indeed attentive and will be able to respond when the need arises – he is permitted to engage in activities such as computer use and video games.

The guard in question did respond to radio checks, but he, however, seemed so engaged in the game that he failed to notice the inspector approaching repeatedly. “The issue is not the guard’s use of the video game, because current procedures don’t specifically prohibit those games. The real issue is that his complete absorption in the game distracted him from noticing the repeated approach of our inspector. And that shows why this procedure needs to be changed and these video games disallowed,” says DEP Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty.

Due to this incident, the DEP will now be coordinating with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and nuclear plant operators to review policies and possibly prohibit staging post guard’s use of handheld video games.

Aren’t you glad you’re not a nuclear plant security guard?