Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) inspectors at Los Alamos National Laboratory raised concerns about staffing levels at the lab’s field office, warning that federal oversight might not keep pace with the site’s growing workload.

According to a recent resident inspector report, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Los Alamos, N.M. Field Office is operating at approximately 75% staffing and could lose several additional employees in the coming months, the DNFSB report from May 29 said. Many of the anticipated departures involve personnel responsible for contractor safety oversight.

The report notes that current staffing levels are based on an analysis that does not reflect the laboratory’s increased operations or expected future growth. Los Alamos is playing a central role in NNSA’s effort to expand plutonium pit production, a mission that has driven increased activity across the site in recent years.

Resident inspectors referenced a July 25, 2025, DNFSB letter that highlighted the importance of maintaining robust safety oversight amid Department of Energy efforts to modify its organizational structure and regulatory approach. The Board cautioned at the time that strong federal oversight remains essential to ensuring safe and successful nuclear operations.

In the latest report, resident inspectors said they have shared their concerns regarding federal staffing levels with both Los Alamos Field Office leadership and senior DNFSB management.

“The Field Office is currently prioritizing activities based on risk, requirements, and available resources,” the report states.

The inspectors indicated they will continue monitoring the situation to assess whether DOE is maintaining sufficient oversight capabilities as site activities expand.

The report did not indicate that any specific safety oversight functions have been curtailed, but inspectors suggested the issue warrants continued attention as staffing levels decline and site activities increase.