Workers who will have access to chemical agent and related materials at the Blue Grass plant are thoroughly checked out through a U.S. Army trustworthiness program.

“The Chemical Personnel Reliability Program helps us ensure that the people with access to chemical materials meet the highest standards of reliability,” said Marvin Hubanks, surety officer, Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. “We have to make sure someone who shouldn’t be given access to that material is not allowed to access it.”

The program includes an extensive background investigation, a medical exam and an in-depth personal interview, Hubanks said. Standards and requirements such as dependability, physical competence, sound judgement and emotional stability are used to determine suitability. Disqualifying factors can include alcohol or drug abuse, negligence in performance of duty, certain medical conditions or poor attitude.

“It is a privilege to be accepted into this program,” Hubanks said. “It’s also not a disciplinary issue if you are not. Think of it as rising to the top of a class and making the honor roll. We want people with access to the chemical materials to be the best of the best.”

Workers who are part of the reliability program include munitions handlers, security and maintenance personnel, engineers and Control Room operators.