During 2025, 12 members of the UCOR workforce have reported finding ticks embedded in their skin (sometimes several ticks on one individual). This marks a notable increase from the two incidents that were reported in 2024. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, the populations of six medically important tick species in Tennessee are increasing.…
To the UCOR Workforce: Recently, we lost a member of the UCOR family—Cheryl Jeffers. A few weeks ago, Cheryl collapsed in the field unexpectedly and was rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, she did not recover. Cheryl was an integral member to our cleanup mission at ORNL. I would like to offer my condolences to…
To the UCOR workforce: With Amazon Prime Day running from July 8–11, scammers are on high alert—and we should be, too. Over 1,000 new fake Amazon‑themed domains were registered in June alone, and 87% have already been flagged as malicious or suspicious, aiming to trick shoppers into giving up login credentials or funds. More than 120,000…
Focusing on goals, setting intentions, and acting with purpose to keep ourselves and coworkers safe are among the best things we can do to positively influence the safety of our workplace and beyond. UCOR encourages you to show commitment to your personal health and safety as well as that of your family and coworkers by…
Each year, thousands of people are injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents. Even less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers can cause significant injuries. Sparklers can ignite clothing and cause severe burns. According to the National Safety Council, sparklers account for 25% of fireworks-related emergency room visits, with many of…
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sunscreen is an important part of a complete sun protection strategy. They recommend that men, women, and children over six months of age use sunscreen every day. This includes people that tan easily, as damage by sun exposure happens over a lifetime, whether you burn or not. Sunscreens are…
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Terrorism Advisory System has determined that our country is currently in a “heightened threat environment,” with a persistent and lethal threat from domestic violent extremists and those associated with foreign terrorist organizations. Details on the Advisory System are here: National Terrorism Advisory System | Homeland Security Let’s…
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding caused nearly one-third of the 42,000 vehicle-related fatalities which occurred in 2022. About 87 percent of these speeding-related traffic fatalities occurred on non-interstate roads and streets. People often speed because they (1) believe the speed limit is unnecessary, (2) think they will not get caught, (3)…
Dehydration occurs when your body’s water content becomes low… It can happen when you don’t drink enough and lose fluids due to sweating in hot humid weather and/or during physical activity. Certain medicines such as diuretics and medical conditions like diarrhea, vomiting, and uncontrolled diabetes can contribute to dehydration. If you’re thirsty, it is likely…
If you suspect that a tick bite could be work-related, contact your supervisor and call UCOR Health Services at 865-574-8562 immediately after finding and removing the tick—even after work hours and on weekends. The health care professional who performs your telehealth evaluation will determine if follow-up actions are necessary. While a variety of ticks are…
