The Department of Energy (DOE) ordered UT-Battelle, the managing contractor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), to pay $112,500 for an incident in August 2014 in which lab workers were exposed to highly enriched uranium (HEU). The incident occurred during size reduction of HEU metal alloy items in Building 3525 at ORNL. During the operation there was an unexpected airborne release of uranium particles that caused seven workers to receive “an acute occupational inhalation uptake of HEU”. According to the DOE: “The inaccurate assumptions and conclusions about the material, failure to stop work or modify hazard controls when encountering unexpected removable contamination, and inadequate event response were significant contributors to this event. However, UT-Battelle’s actions since the event, both completed and planned, as well as senior management’s attention, focus, and transparency, have been extensive and appropriate.”