PUD chose to use asbestos at dam
The photo shows the numbers marked on the turbine shaft for the alleged "Rotor Roulette" game at Wanapum Dam and the ÒpointerÓ that indicated the number the funds went to.
EPHRATA - An internal report shows Grant County PUD decided in January to reinstall asbestos brake pads at Wanapum Dam because they had a longer life span and required less maintenance.
The report also states the district was monitoring air quality levels for asbestos on March 4.
The tests and asbestos exposure took place the same time as an alleged gambling incident at Wanapum Dam, involving a game of "rotor roulette" with work equipment, according to an April 18 Columbia Basin Herald article.
Grant PUD General Manager Tim Culbertson previously said some employees believed the March 4 incident circled around a celebration for the new turbines once they were completed.
There were no public documents that showed disciplinary action for the gambling employees, said Sarah Morford, a utility spokesperson, on Tuesday.
"We consider the matter closed now," Morford said.
Grant PUD commissioners are expected to vote on a revised employee ethics policy next week, which further defined restrictions on employee gambling at work.
"Our previous policy didn't clarify what gambling was," she commented. "The updated policy does provide additional information to employees."
The proposed changes are so employees have a better understanding of what is and isn't gambling, Morford explained.
"Gambling is prohibited on district property and/or during an employee's compensated work time, according to the proposal. "Gambling means staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that the person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.
"Examples include, but are not limited to raffles, sports pools, check pools, or any activity defined as 'gambling' by the Washington State Gambling Commission," the proposal states.
Grant PUD General Manager Tim Culbertson spoke with employees in a closed meeting April 20.
After the meeting, he wrote a guest column for the Columbia Basin Herald's April 28 opinion page, expressing his confidence in the district's employees, but not condoning or excusing gambling.
"I believe the valuable contributions made by our employees are far too important to be overshadowed by this incident," he wrote. "Please be assured that we are taking appropriate steps to resolve issues related to gambling. While I do not condone or excuse these actions, I strongly believe in the character, quality and caliber of our employees."
The asbestos incident report states the district's Turbine/Generator Team made the decision to use brake pads containing asbestos, "which was primarily based on previous asbestos air monitoring test results that were conducted in 1977 and 1989."
"These tests indicated the asbestos levels were below the acceptable levels and did not violate WISHA (Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act) regulations," according to the report.
Reusing asbestos brake pads was discussed at generator coordination meetings attended by about 15 employees, the report states.
"No issues or concerns were raised during these discussions regarding the decision," according to the report.
Dam operations were not negatively impacted as the asbestos testing and gambling took place when the unit was being tested before being placed back in service, according to an April 18 email to media from Grant PUD spokesperson Dorothy Harris.
The district decided to replace brakes with asbestos in Wanapum and Priest Rapids dams.
Eight units are to be replaced, for a total cost of $52,000, or $6,500 per unit, said Morford, of Grant PUD.
The work is expected to be complete in 2012.
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