[DOE LETTERHEAD]

 

April 27, 2005

 

The Honorable A. J. Eggenberger

Acting Chairman

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

625 Indiana Avenue, NW, Suite 700

Washington, D.C. 20004-2901

 

Dear Dr. Eggenberger:

 

The purpose of this letter is to provide the results of the independent Tank Farm Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS) improvement validations.  Department of Energy (DOE), Office of River Protection (ORP) Management and the team leader for the ISMS improvement validations briefed members of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) on the review results in November 2004 and March 2005, and provided a copy of the associated reports to the Board staff.

 

The Improvement Validation Team concluded that corrective actions have been properly established and implemented to improve the Tank Farm Contractor’s (TFC) ISMS.  The Validation Team also noted that the roles and responsibilities for ISMS are clearly identified, particularly at the work activity level.  The Improvement Validation reports are enclosed for your information to complete actions identified in the October 22, 2004, letter from Environmental Management to the Board.

 

DOE is committed to ensuring that the ISMS improvements and corrective actions are effective and sustainable.

 

If you have any further questions, please call me at (202) 586-7709 or Mr. Roy Schepens, Manager, Office of River Protection, at (509) 376-6677.

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul M. Golan

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary

  for Environmental Management

 

Enclosures

  1. Report of the Pre-Implementation Portion of the ISM Improvement Validation at the Hanford Tank Farm
  2. Report of the Post-Implementation Portion of the ISM Improvement Validation at the Hanford Tank Farm

 

cc:   R. J. Schepens, ORP

M. Whitaker, DR-1