May 30th, 2006
Three Mile Island Guard Misses Inspector While Playing Video Games
By Michael Santo
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
Yes, we’re talking about that Three Mile Island. A security guard was so engrossed while playing a handheld video game that he failed to notice repeated approaches by an inspector during a surprise inspection. Apparently, the game itself was not an issue as employees are allowed to participate in mind-stimulating activities during breaks.
“The issue is not the guard’s use of the video game,” Kathleen McGinty, secretary of the environmental agency, said in a statement.
“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,” she said. Source: AP via USA Today
We Say: This fits into the category of “Duh!”. Yes, his complete absorption in the game, I would tend to agree, is a real problem. No information on if it was a Nintendo DS, a GameBoy, or even a PSP. 
freedom4all says:
Why don’t we just put on the flag “America, dont have any fun.”
If he’s on his break it’s none of their business what he’s doing. Also if one security guard not paying attention is a real threat to 3 mile island, I’d say that we have a SERIOUS problem with security in general at nuclear facilities.
May 30th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
Mike says:
I agree, if he is on his break, he doesn’t HAE to pay attention. They need to beef up security to take care of covering positions while on break.
I live REAL close to TMI - I remember getting out of school when we had that nice little leak, no not leak, no no - never leaked - never hurt anyone..lol..yea, ok.
Mike
May 31st, 2006 at 2:46 am
jb says:
Who was covering his post?
May 31st, 2006 at 4:20 am
John B says:
Just what difference would there be if the guard was in the cafeteria, or the can, when the inspectors showed up. Seems to me the problem is that there is no relief guard during breaks. Maybe there is during “Official” breaks. But…
After having worked my way through college as a guard. I have a fairly good insight as to what really went down. Being a guard is not like working on an assembly line. There are no official breaks except for lunch. Sure then somebody else is probably covering for you. Otherwise you hang out, hopelessly bored, do your homework, or play with your Gameboy
May 31st, 2006 at 4:26 am
Snopesman says:
I would put this in the category of “Doh!”. Was the guard’s name Homer?
May 31st, 2006 at 6:52 am
Lockergnome's Tech News Watch says:
Three Mile Island Guard Misses Inspector While Playing Video Games
Michael Santo of RealTechNews writes: Yes, we’re talking about that Three Mile Island. A security guard was so engrossed while playing a handheld video game that he failed to notice repeated approaches by an inspector during a surprise inspection. App…
May 31st, 2006 at 10:24 pm
Michael Santo says:
I think the problem is, in the event of an emergency, there is NO such thing as a break. If he’s so engrossed in a game that he doesn’t notice repeated passing by the inspector … plus it didn’t indicate he was on a break.
June 1st, 2006 at 4:01 pm