Assisting the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in accomplishing its nuclear safety mission is one of the primary responsibilities of the Office of Health, Safety, and Security (HSS). This federal agency under DOE has established policies for nuclear facilities which include management, training and safety.
Management
Nuclear safety management is established by the DOE. Safety regulations apply to nine specific areas of nuclear safety. These areas include standards such as safety analysis reports, quality assurance requirements, defect identification, technical safety requirements, and operational occurrences. Contractors and subcontractors have to adhere to these rules while working at federal nuclear facilities.
Training
The Office of Nuclear and Facility Safety Policy creates technical training standards and handbooks for the selection, qualification and training of qualified personnel within nuclear facilities.They use DOE rules such as 5840.20A, which gives examples and guidance for instructing employees.
Criticality Safety
Nuclear criticality safety is instituted and upheld by the Office of Nuclear and Facility Safety Policy. Safety standards that are used are based off Section 4.3 of DOE Order 420.1, which deals with facility safety. Rules for safety in this document involve inspection, testing, maintenance, fire-safety assessments,and protection for abandoned facilities.
Nuclear Safety Guide
Nuclear and facility safety requirements and guides are created by the Office of Nuclear and Facility Safety Policy. They develop, interpret and revise DOE guides. There are various guides such as "Nonreactor Nuclear Safety Design Criteria and Explosive Safety Criteria Guide." Other guides offer information on nuclear safety issues such as good practices, mitigation of natural phenomena, hazards and nuclear facility management.
Office of Nuclear Energy
DOE has an Office of Nuclear Energy that promotes the safe operation of its nuclear facilities and activities. The Office of Nuclear Safety, Quality Assurance, and Environment creates safety and environmental protection requirements.
Tags: Office Nuclear, nuclear facilities, Facility Safety Policy, Nuclear Facility Safety, Office Nuclear Facility
