Guard at Three Mile Island plays video game, ignores inspector

The Associated Press is reporting that a security guard at the infamous Three Mile Island nuclear power plant was concentrating so much on a hand-held video game that he failed a surprise security inspection. The inspection was part of a series of surprise checks ordered by Philadelphia’s Governor Ed Rendell last February. Apparently, there were several reports of guards not paying attention to their jobs.

As typical for many high-value installations, security guards are on hand to respond to emergencies. To make sure people are awake, guards must answer their radios at periodic intervals - something that is called a "radio check". This guard missed his radio check because he was engrossed in his game.

It was reported that guards are allowed to play "mind-stimulating" games while on duty, but because of the guard’s actions, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection is now looking into prohibiting games.

No details were released on what hand-held platform or game the guard the was playing.