Offnominal

Yesterday, KSC center director James Kennedy ordered a 2 hour safety stand down, halting work on Shuttle and ISS processing. From his videotaped message to center employees:

However, our past does not guarantee future success. In the last few weeks alone, KSC has experienced a rash of close calls and mishaps leading me to call for a two-hour Center-wide Safety Stand-down.
Let me give you some specific examples that led to this decision.
First, during an orbiter jack transfer, an unexpected movement of Endeavour’s nose landing gear occurred. This incident could have resulted in major damage to the Orbiter. Next, we inadvertently overpressurized Atlantis’ Water Coolant Loop, resulting in damage to the water accumulators.
Then, in less than a seven-day period, we had three more incidents. We damaged Discovery’s robotic arm while moving the bridge bucket, which will require removal and replacement of the arm.
Next, an X-ray film container was dropped onto a body flap tile on Endeavour, which will require repair. Finally, workers started a small fire during roof repairs to the VAB, the consequences of which could have been catastrophic.
These incidents were experienced by several different organizations on Center and there is no apparent common cause. However, I considered all a threat to successfully accomplishing our mission – the launching of astronauts and payloads into space.

Update: An anonymous KSC worker comments on this stand down over at Nasawatch:

All these happened before the launch date was moved to July. We have been pushed pretty hard by management to make the May date. A lot of people here have been working long hours for a long time. But the good news (according to our managers) has been that there is no schedule pressure.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Update 2 - From Chris in the comments:

The only real pressure I’ve ever seen at work is in the orbiter’s tires.

Priceless!