Complete Issue 1993-Summer
DOE/EH-0245 Summer 1993
THE SAFETY CONNECTION
Assistant Secretary for Environment, Safety and Health
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AT THE DOE IDAHO OPERATIONS OFFICE
To encourage safety awareness and information exchange on OSH activities,
the Office of Safety and Quality Assurance (EH-30) will distribute The
Safety Connection quarterly. This publication provides information on new
Departmental directions in OSH and highlights activities and programs
related to occupational safety.
Protecting employee safety and health is a primary responsibility
for both staff and line groups at DOE's Idaho Operations Office (ID). The
Office oversees facilities chiefly located at the Idaho National
Engineering Laboratory (INEL), which occupies 890 square miles of desert
near Idaho Falls, ID.
INEL's historic mission has been focused on nuclear energy: reactor
research and development, nuclear fuel processing, and nuclear waste
management. Over the past 40 years, 52 reactors have been built and
operated at INEL, not only for experimental work, but also for training
Navy and civilian nuclear personnel.
INEL is operated by several contractors: EG&G Idaho, Inc. (the
principal management and operating contractor), Westinghouse Idaho Nuclear
Company, Babcock & Wilcox, MK-Ferguson (construction), and Protection
Technology, Idaho (security). Argonne National Laboratory-West and naval
reactor facilities are located at INEL, but are not overseen by ID.
Recent changes at the site mirror changing DOE priorities, with more
technology development projects in nuclear safety, waste management and
transport, and environmental cleanup being developed. Consistent with the
waste technology mission, ID oversees a New York State facility, the West
Valley Demonstration Project, which is testing vitrification of high-level
wastes for disposal.
ID assigns responsibility for environment, safety, and health (ES&H)
oversight to the Safety and Environment and Quality Assurance Divisions of
the Office of Environmental, Safety and Health Oversight (OES&HO). Safety
and health technical assistance to the line is the job of the Technical
Support Division (TSD), which reports to the Assistant Manager for Site
Engineering and Support. Although functionally separate, the two groups
share a commitment to improve safety and health programs at Idaho
facilities.
Safety Division: Oversight and Appraisals
OES&HO provides independent oversight of both contractor and operations
office line organizations in occupational safety and health (OSH), nuclear
safety, and transportation of hazardous materials. Division Director John
Martin adds, "our function is oversight and our product is appraisals."
Division activities meet DOE requirements for the operations office
manager concerning independent appraisals. Staff also conduct functional
appraisals and routine surveillances. Data from the appraisals are
managed in the Compliance Management System (CMS), and OES&HO conducts
followups and directly tracks the most serious concerns to closure.
Safety Division staff who conduct appraisals have technical
expertise relevant to Idaho activities. When an assessment demands
particularly specialized knowledge, ID employs consultants qualified to
provide "spot readings" or borrows qualified staff from other operations
offices. Exchanges among DOE OSH personnel enhance the Division's ability
to assess OSH performance by bringing to Idaho the lessons learned at
other sites. In return, visitors may acquire new knowledge in such areas
as nuclear safety, where ID has broad expertise.
OES&HO personnel provide input to DOE's policies by working on
committees to develop orders and guidance. Safety Division personnel have
served on six DOE committees, and some have helped write professional
consensus standards. Mr. Martin and OES&HO head Gerald Bowman are
currently serving on the Secretary's new safety and health initiatives
work groups.
Technical Support Division: Line Support
TSD Director Ed Ziemianski sees the primary responsibility of his staff to
be giving the help that "line management needs to assure that programs are
executed in a safe and healthful way." Idaho's programmatic assistant
managers, their personnel, and contractor management are the chief
customers for TSD services, which take several forms:
1. Review of documentation, such as technical reports, for safety
and health concerns.
2. Walk-down of facilities with program staff to identify OSH
deficiencies.
3. Direct management of crosscutting programs, such as
occupational medicine, fire protection engineering, occurrence
reporting, and emergency management.
TSD staff also chair and manage numerous site safety committees.
The newest is an electrical safety committee. Occupational Safety and
Emergency Management Branch Chief Jim Jones traces the origin of this
committee to various lockout/tagout concerns at the site. Knowing that
its contractors had divergent programs and practices, Idaho formed a
committee to develop a single lockout/tagout system for all of INEL.
"It worked so well," Mr. Jones said, "that we expanded it to
other elements of electrical safety." The committee is now chartered to
address specific questions about electrical practices as they arise and to
develop other uniform procedures. Similar committees have been formed for
explosives, firearms, and hoisting and rigging safety.
Like their Safety Division counterparts, TSD staff are participating
in the new safety and health initiatives work groups - Mr. Ziemianski on
the federal employee OSH and Don Michaelson on accident investigation.
Staff expertise has been expanded by hiring safety professionals,
including former Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
compliance officers who fully understand OSHA's approach to safety and
maintain their contacts with OSHA offices.
Mr. Ziemianski says, however, that switching to technical assistance
can pose challenges for compliance professionals: "We need people who are
not only well-versed in finding problems, but skilled in finding solutions
to those problems."
Site OSH Initiatives
Both Safety and Technical Support staff cite the efforts of ID and the
contractors to improve OSH programs. Some of these initiatives are still
developing, while others have produced noticeable improvements. Some
programs are contractor-specific and others are sitewide. INEL is a
challenge because multiple contractors require teamwork and cooperation.
Contractor Achievements
MK-Ferguson has, in Mr. Martin's words, "turned the corner on its
accident and injury rate statistics" since the 1991 Tiger Team visit. The
change reflects greater management attention and more effective employee
communication. (MK-Ferguson's achievement is featured on page 15.)
Protection Technology has also improved its management of the
INEL indoor firing range. The DOE contractor has instituted control
programs that have greatly reduced lead levels and potential for lead
exposure.
At EG&G, the Employee Safety Assurance Program (ESAP) follows a
behavior-based approach to safety, designed to closely involve workers in
improving safety practices in the workplace. Initial evaluations of ESAP
pilots suggest that the program is effective in reducing work-related
injuries.
Employee Involvement
For many years, all Idaho contractors have had employee/management
safety committees to improve employee communication of OSH concerns.
Employee participation in OSH self-assessments at INEL's Supercomputing
Center won praise from the Tiger Team in 1991, and this year the
Operations Office formed a sitewide employee/management safety and health
committee.
Management Commitment
Idaho management and safety personnel are paying more attention than
ever to lessons learned at other sites. After the 1992 hoisting and
rigging fatality at Oak Ridge's K-25 Site, Idaho immediately formed a team
to assess the potential for similar accidents at INEL. The team found
opportunities for improvement, which have led to changes in hoisting and
rigging practices.
Wellness Programs
A wellness committee managed by TSD encourages healthy lifestyles.
The committee sponsors lunch meetings to address topics such as back
injury prevention, cancer awareness, and smoking cessation, as well as
community-wide wellness activities, such as presentations by the American
Cancer Society. Idaho recently began a health profile program that will
provide each employee with a comprehensive personalized summary to show
how healthy he or she is compared to the Surgeon General's
recommendations. The summary also identifies lifestyle changes that
employees can make to reduce health risks and improve their overall
health.
Safety Data and Analysis
The Safety Division is tapping the reservoir of information in the
major DOE databases managed by EG&G, Inc., to improve analysis of
appraisal data. Mr. Martin describes the first step, vulnerability
analysis, as sorting deficiency findings in the site appraisals by the
causal categories used in the Occurrence Reporting and Processing System
(ORPS). The technique reveals common causes for superficially unrelated
findings. Mr. Martin believes the process "helps us look at the areas
where the contractors are actually having problems."
A second step applies the insurance industry loss control method of
extreme value analysis to data in the Computerized Accident/Incident
Reporting System (CAIRS) and the Radiation Exposure Module (REM) to
calculate recurrence frequencies of costly events.
Mr. Martin plans to merge these analytical tools into a unified system
that will help safety staff focus on significant problems and better
predict the probability of future events.
EG&G's System 80 database maintains data on contractor employee
exposures to hazards. According to TSD industrial hygienist George
Espinoza, other site contractors are implementing similar systems that
will interface with System 80. A related demographic database under
development in the occupational medicine program will track employee work
location histories. These efforts will culminate in a sitewide
medical recordkeeping system to guide medical examinations and,
ultimately, to support epidemiological studies of employees.
Mr. Espinoza notes that INEL also has an asbestos database for
worker protection. By logging into this system, maintenance personnel can
determine if asbestos-containing material is present in areas scheduled
for repairs or renovation and then take the protective measures needed to
prevent worker exposures.
Continuing Changes
Staff and line management identified the following current trends and
imminent changes that will influence Idaho's OSH programs.
Contractor Consolidation
DOE will consolidate the INEL Site under the management of a single
contractor at the end of FY 1994. Operations office safety personnel
foresee benefits in the change. In Mr. Ziemianski's view, having a
single-contractor site will improve "commonality, consistency, and the
cost-effectiveness" of OSH programs across the site.
Adapting to Mission Changes
Site OSH concerns have changed with recent programmatic shifts. Mr.
Martin observes that evaluations of the effectiveness of OSH programs must
take these programmatic shifts into account. For example, in judging the
effectiveness of OSH program improvements, the current low rate of
accidents and injuries at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant must be
balanced by the fact that various plant projects and functions have been
shut down because of mission changes. He also believes that when
facilities make the transition to decontamination and decommissioning,
the Safety Division's data trending tools will be important guides to
vulnerability.
The TSD gives staff time and attention to the OSH needs of
environmental restoration projects. This summer, for example, start-up of
a project to remove unexploded ordnance from the old Naval Gunnery Range
at INEL will require reviews of blasting permits and safe handling
procedures.
Aging Facilities
Efforts to improve OSH performance will continue to be complicated
by the problem of aging facilities. Some facilities at INEL date back to
the early 1950s, a time when codes were less stringent and did not cover
requirements like configuration management of low-voltage electrical
systems. Meeting modem standards in older facilities requires both
vigilance and innovative problem-solving.
Streamlining Appraisal
Voicing a concern widely shared throughout DOE, John Martin believes
that "many facilities have reeled from one appraisal, audit, or evaluation
to another. It's time for DOE to determine what assessments are both
effective and cost-effective." He would also like to see more direct DOE
Headquarters contact with the facilities to cut through the organizational
layers separating decision makers from employees in the field.
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| Acronym List
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| AIChE American Institute of Chemical Engineers |
| CSO Cognizant Secretarial Officer |
| DOE Department of Energy |
| DP Office of Defense Programs |
| EH Office of Environment, Safety and Health |
| EM Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste |
| Management |
| ER Office of Energy Research |
| ERWM Environmental Restoration and Waste Management |
| ESHAC Environmental Safety & Health Advisory Committee |
| ES&H Environment, Safety and Health |
| GOCO Government-owned Contractor-operated |
| ID DOE Idaho Operations Office |
| INEL Idaho National Engineering Laboratory |
| MORT Management Oversight & Risk Tree |
| NE Office of Nuclear Energy |
| NEPA National Environmental Policy Act |
| NS Office of Nuclear Safety |
| OR DOE Oak Ridge Operations Office |
| OSH Occupational Safety and Health |
| OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
| PNL Pacific Northwest Laboratory |
| PPE Personal Protective Equipment |
| S-1 Secretary of Energy |
| TRADE Training Resources & Data Exchange |
| TSD Technical Support Division |
| TQM Total Quality Management |
| VPP Voluntary Protection Program |
| WPP Worker Protection Pilot |
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DOE SAFETY INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED BY SECRETARY O'LEARY
Secretary of Energy Hazel R. O'Leary announced a comprehensive nuclear and
occupational safety initiative to highlight the Department's strong
commitment to health and safety issues. As noted in a May 5, 1993,
press release, DOE News, the Secretary's immediate goals of the initiative
are as follows.
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| GOAL: Develop a comprehensive DOE safety and health policy. |
| An integrated DOE-wide, comprehensive safety and health |
| policy will be prepared by June 30, 1993. This policy will |
| establish the overall responsibility of every DOE official |
| for protecting the health and safety of workers, the public, |
| and the environment. |
| |
| GOAL: Establish authority of the Assistant Secretary for Environment,|
| Safety and Health (EH-1) to require the end of unsafe |
| operations. |
| Reinstate EH-1's authority to force cessation of unsafe |
| operations involving pending nuclear safety, occupational |
| safety, or health concerns. |
| |
| GOAL: Revoke the 60-day notice requirement for assessments. |
| DOE Notice 2321.1 (1992) is rescinded. EH staff will |
| coordinate and consult with field staff to schedule future |
| assessments. |
| |
| GOAL: Develop a DOE "Fatality Policy" with strengthened investigation|
| procedures. |
| Amendments to the existing DOE accident investigation process |
| to improve the independence and effectiveness of investigation |
| boards are to be completed by June 30, 1993, by EH-1. |
| |
| GOAL: Establish Employee-Management Health and Safety Committees for |
| ALL DOE sites. |
| Within 30 days, guidance will be provided to DOE program |
| offices and operations offices regarding the establishment of |
| meaningful committees by EH-1. |
| |
| GOAL: Accelerate issuance of the Price-Anderson Nuclear Safety Rules.|
| The first of the new Rules will be completed by DOE and |
| submitted to the Office of Management and Budget by July 1, |
| 1993. Due dates for the remaining rules will be issued by |
| July 15, 1993. |
| |
| Critical nuclear safety rules, such as quality assurance, |
| safety requirements and analysis, training, radiation |
| protection, maintenance, incident reporting, and conduct of |
| operations will be expedited. In accordance with the |
| Administrative Procedure Act, many have been published and are |
| awaiting final DOE concurrence and approval. |
| |
| GOAL: Establish regulation for all DOE sites by consulting with OSHA.|
| The Department will announce that it will abide by the same |
| health and safety rules that govern private industry. In order|
| to establish regulation of all DOE facilities, EH-1, upon |
| confirmation, will consult with OSHA staff. A reasonable |
| transition period (3-5 years) will be required to ensure |
| effectiveness. |
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To obtain a copy of the DOE press release, "Secretary O'Leary Announces
Safety Initiative," dated May 5, 1993, call DOE's Office of Public
Affairs, (202) 586-5810.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Natural Phenomena Hazards
United States/Japan Joint Meeting
The 25th annual joint meeting of U.S./Japan Natural Resources (UJNR)
was held in Tsukuba, Japan, May 17-21, 1993. The two-man DOE contingent
to the meeting consisted of Jim Hill, Risk Analysis and Technology
Division (EH-33.1), and Robert Murray of Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory (LLNL). The UJNR is one facet of the U.S.-Japan bilateral
agreement on science and technology.
DOE presented several papers at the meeting. The papers detailed
new policy requirements and standards on seismic and wind natural
phenomena and an assessment of natural phenomena losses within DOE and its
predecessor agencies within the last 50 years. The assessment generated
some interesting results: the discovery that DOE averages one fatality
each year due to expected natural hazards such as foggy or ice-covered
roads, but it averages no fatalities due to catastrophic natural hazards
such as earthquakes or tornadoes. Copies of the papers presented are
available from Lilian S. Decman, LLNL, P.O. Box 808, L-193, Livermore, CA
94551.
National Earthquake Conference
Jim Hill also attended the 1993 National Earthquake Conference in
Memphis, TN, May 2-5, 1993. He reports that the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) commented favorably on DOE's contributions and
support of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program, both at the
conference and in a recent report to Congress on Federal implementation of
the Executive Order on Seismic Safety.
DOE's booth at the conference contained a variety of literature
which drew attention from attendees. In general, the literature presented
the current DOE technology available to solve earthquake problems and
related guidance, such as hazard maps, seismic safety guides, and design
and evaluation standards.
Another topic addressed by the DOE contingent was the testing and
evaluation of masonry construction for earthquake resistance (using
structures typical of DOE construction). They introduced a newly
developed piece of hand-held equipment which can test a wall's ability to
withstand earthquake stresses.
1993 American Industrial Hygiene Conference & Exposition
Over 10,000 people attended the 1993 American Industrial Hygiene
Conference and Exhibition (AIHCE) in New Orleans, LA, May 17-21, 1993.
The 1993 AIHCE theme, "Alliances: Leading the Way Together," emphasized
the need for forming and maintaining alliances when accommodating the many
changes confronting the industrial hygiene industry today.
EH-30 and the Office of Health (EH-40) jointly displayed an exhibit
entitled "Safety and Health: Cornerstone of the '90s," which provided
information on key safety and health initiatives, such as Chemical Safety,
Construction Safety, Electrical Safety, Transportation and Packaging,
Policy and Guidance, Industrial Hygiene Program Performance Assessments,
and the five Industrial Hygiene Centers of Excellence. Printed products,
including fact sheets, newsletters, safety and health publications,
wallet-size information cards, and information on the Industrial Hygiene
Fellowship Program were available.
Over 400 exhibitors took part, more than 525 scientific papers
covering 55 occupational and environmental health topics were presented,
and 115 professional development courses were offered at the 1993 AIHCE.
One forum, entitled "OSHA Reform: What Ideas have Worked?," included
testimony from jurisdictions that already have provisions of the proposed
OSHA reform legislation in place.
Carlos Coffman, Industrial Hygiene Programs Division (EH-412),
presented a poster session on a paper entitled Development of the U.S.
Department of Energy's Proposed Internal Standard for Asbestos Management.
The proposed standard, being developed for use by DOE contractors,
discusses the development of four activities that encompass human and
environmental exposure to asbestos: maintaining asbestos in place in
buildings and structures in good condition, removing asbestos, disposing
of asbestos, and using asbestos in production and research activities.
The standard is currently in draft form and is undergoing internal review.
"We're still in the early stages of development," said Mr. Coffman, and
DOE received "a favorable review at the industrial hygiene conference.
Several people felt that the standard is needed, and they are anxious for
its completion."
The 1994 AIHCE will be held May 21-27, 1994, in Anaheim, CA. The
theme will be "Harmony through Teamwork."
New Course Seeks to Educate Workers About Suspect/Counterfeit Parts
The number and variety of suspect and counterfeit parts on the market have
increased significantly over the past 15 years. These parts are intended
for both private sector industry and Federal facilities. At DOE sites,
identified suspect and counterfeit parts range from breakers and bolts to
tube steel and electrical switches. DOE contractors have reported
over one million suspect and counterfeit bolts and over 700 suspect and
counterfeit circuit breakers. A November 1991 report by the Office of the
Inspector General (DOE/IG-0304) entitled Concerns with the Effectiveness
of the Department's Quality Assurance Program Regarding Production
Substitution Issues, acknowledges that removing parts identified as
suspect is only one step in developing an effective quality control
program.
In response to the IG report, EH produced a safety Bulletin entitled
DOE Quality Alert, DOE/EH-0266, dated August 1992. The Quality Alert
reviews the current status of suspect/counterfeit parts, examines several
fatalities linked to substandard parts, provides guidance on how to
identify such parts, and discusses how defective parts should be disposed
of when found. Figure 1 of DOE/EH-0266 is a Headmark List for posting.
It illustrates a number of bolts that should be treated as defective, if
discovered.
The DOE Quality Training and Resource Center (QTRC) at the DOE
Richland Operations Office (RL) developed for the Office of Performance
Assessment (EH-32.1) a Department-wide training program to educate DOE and
DOE contractor personnel on identification and elimination of substandard
parts and materials. The course serves as a how-to manual designed to
teach engineers and procurement professionals what they need to know about
finding and reporting substandard parts. Specifically, the three-part
training program is designed to train DOE and DOE-contractor engineering,
procurement, operations, maintenance, and inspection personnel to
establish and maintain a consistently informed control program. According
to QTRC, positive results can be reached only when line designers (who
specify the parts), buyers (who procure the parts), receiving inspectors
(who examine the parts), end users (who install and operate the parts),
and suppliers (who furnish the parts), work together to control and
end the problem.
The 1-day course is taught in two class periods:
Morning
Suspect/Counterfeit Items will be taught in the first 4-hour period
of the course. This class is a prerequisite for either of the
subsequent classes.
Afternoon: (Participants choose one)
Suspect/Counterfeit Items: Design and Specification Tools
Suspect/Counterfeit Items: Procurement Prevention Tools
Anyone involved in the procurement or installation process of
suspect/counterfeit parts should attend the first class, Suspect/
Counterfeit Items. In this class, students learn to identify a
suspect/counterfeit item, what to do with it, and to whom it should be
reported. Through hands-on exercises, lectures, and videos, the course
teaches inspection techniques, equipment identification, and reporting
methods.
The second class, Suspect/Counterfeit Items: Design and
Specification Prevention Tools, is targeted toward design engineers, field
engineers, maintenance engineers, and requisitioners. The first 3 hours
of this course addresses engineering's involvement in the procurement
cycle, including commercial grade items and product specification. The
final hour will be devoted to reviewing the roles required to prevent
suspect/counterfeit parts from entering the workplace.
The third class, Suspect/Counterfeit Items: Procurement Prevention
Tools, is beneficial for buyers, material coordinators, and subcontractor
personnel. The first 3 hours of this course instructs students through
lecture and exercises on the procurement organization's role in product
compliance, buyer-seller relationships, and effective communication. As
with the course on Design and Specification Prevention Tools, the final
hour is devoted to reviewing the roles required to prevent suspect/
counterfeit parts from entering the workplace.
The course was introduced at several DOE sites and received positive
reviews from such DOE Offices as Nuclear Energy (NE) and Defense Programs
(DP). The Savannah River Operations Office, Sandia National Laboratories
(SNL), Fernald Environmental Management Operations Office, Los Alamos
National Laboratory (LANL), and the Superconducting Super Collider
Laboratory have also expressed interest in scheduling the course at their
sites. For more information, contact Linda Maiden (509) 376-7117 at QTRC.
Technical Assistance Visit to Hanford
Provides Process Safety Management Model
The Office of Safety and Quality Assurance (EH-30) conducted a Technical
Assistance Visit to Westinghouse Hanford to conduct process hazard
analyses at its water treatment facility on May 17-21, 1993. A report on
the system, expected to be released in mid-July, will serve as a process
hazard analysis (PrHA) example for DOE sites using chlorine at their
facilities. The rule requires contractors with 1500 pounds or more of
chlorine in their water treatment systems to perform PrHAs. Affected
sites must have 25 percent of the processes, as defined by the rule,
completed by May 26, 1994.
The ten member Technical Assistance Team, led by a Hazards and
Operability (HAZOP) team leader and consisting of EH-30 representatives,
Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) representatives, and Westinghouse
personnel, used the HAZOP method to collect PrHAs at Hanford. The HAZOP
method is one of several hazard analysis methods recommended by OSHA. EH-
31 held three workshops early this year, and is planning a fourth in
September 1993, to instruct affected sited on how to perform HAZOP
analyses and interpret the results. In addition, EH-31 plans to conduct
two additional assistance visits in FY 1994 to help DOE sites comply with
the rule. For more information, contact Sanjeeva Kanth (EH-31.2) at (301)
903-4516.
UPDATES
New Legislation
DOE Transition to OSHA Oversight
Secretary of Energy Hazel O'Leary stated on May 5, 1993, that DOE
will take steps to prepare for OSHA regulation of all of its facilities.
Both Comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Reform Act (COSHRA)
bills (S 575 and HR 1280) introduced in Congress this spring will give
OSHA jurisdiction in DOE contractor facilities.
The Secretary also included transition to OSHA oversight as one of
the goals of DOE's comprehensive nuclear and occupational safety
initiative, which was announced the same day (see "DOE Safety Initiative
Announced" on page 6). Recognizing that DOE and OSHA must adjust to the
new relationship, Secretary O'Leary said that "we will begin trying...to
comport ourselves as though we know that it's coming."
To help DOE prepare to "live under the same health and safety rules
that govern private industry," the Assistant Secretary for EH will begin
consultations with OSHA soon after confirmation. Funding issues and the
views of other DOE elements will be addressed during a "reasonable
transition period," which would probably last 3 to 5 years.
Although the Clinton Administration has not formally endorsed the
reform legislation, in testimony before the House Education and Labor
Committee on April 28, 1993, Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich praised
the requirement in both bills for joint labor-management safety
committees. He added that OSHA reform efforts should emphasize five
areas:
o Prevention of worksite hazards.
o Improved training of employers, workers, and OSH
professionals.
o Improved incentives for hazard abatement.
o Streamlined standard setting.
o Better enforcement mechanisms for OSHA.
Supporters and analysts expect an OSHA reform bill to pass during
the 103rd Congress. But continuing Congressional focus on the economy and
health care, and the possibility of stiff Senate opposition, may delay
passage until 1994.
Other OSH bills
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the subject of the Worker
Warning Protection Act (HR 1878), introduced on April 28, 1993, by
Representative Robert Andrews. This Act would require OSHA to establish
uniform warnings for PPE worn on the job in order to reduce worker
confusion about the correct use and the limitations of various types of
PPE.
THE CONSTRUCTION CORNER
DOE Construction Safety Manual Approved
The DOE Construction Safety Reference Manual has been approved by
Joseph E. Fitzgerald, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Safety and
Quality Assurance, and will be available for distribution this summer.
The Manual interprets OSHA's regulations for safety and health, 29 CFR
1926, which are mandated for use by DOE Order 5480.4 and draft DOE Order
5483.XX.
The Manual was developed by LANL under the direction of the DOE
Construction Safety Advisory Committee. The Committee is made up of DOE
Headquarters' Cognizant Secretarial Officers (CSO) and DOE Operations
Office representatives. To best meet the needs of DOE and its
contractors, the Committee intends to continually review and update the
Manual to keep it current with national codes and standards.
The Manual "should prove to be an effective tool in enhancing
construction safety throughout DOE," said Pat Finn, Personnel Protection
Division (EH-31.1), who helped to develop the Manual. The Manual covers
the entire spectrum of construction safety issues. Two chapters address
the general issues of worker safety and health, and individual chapters
discuss excavations; scaffolding; electrical safety; fire protection and
prevention; signs, signals, and barricades; cranes, hoists, and conveyors;
hand and power tools; concrete and masonry; stairways and ladders; welding
and cutting; motor vehicles and mechanized equipment; demolition;
materials handling, storage, use and disposal; blasting and the use of
explosives; and steel erection.
In addition to providing both written guidance on and illustrations
to demonstrate compliance with OSHA regulations and DOE Orders, the Manual
clarifies other applicable standards, codes, directives and work practices
used on DOE construction worksites. Appendices to the Manual list the
training required by various standards and instructional materials for
general construction safety orientations. The Appendices are designed to
be used as stand-alone documents in support of the overall construction
safety effort. The Manual also furnishes a list of pertinent definitions
and provides a checklist of key items for each section.
An additional appendix to the Manual will provide compliance
information on the revised DOE Order for construction safety, DOE Order
5480.9, upon completion of the Order's final concurrence process. For
additional information, contact Pat Finn at (301) 903-9876.
Lockout/Tagout Guidance
The Technical Support Division (EH-31.2) continues to make progress in the
production of a lockout/tagout guidance manual, due for completion by
October 1, 1993. The manual will incorporate all requirements under the
OSHA standard on the control of hazardous energy, or lockout/tagout (29
CFR 1910.147). Existing manuals at contractor sites and the Nuclear
Energy Technical Standard of November 1992 (DOE-STD-1030-92) are also
being reviewed as part of the developmental process.
Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)
The Office of Occupational Safety (EH-31) sponsored three DOE VPP
Workshops in May and June 1993 for contractor personnel with DOE VPP
responsibility. The workshops provided a private sector perspective on
OSHA's VPP, insight into a DOE contractor's developmental efforts on VPP,
and information on EH's progress in the development of the program. EH-30
staff is currently conducting benchmark studies of VPP sites that have
been given star status by OSHA. Contractor facilities that have truly
outstanding safety programs and show continuous improvement are given star
status.
Based on participation in the workshops, DOE contractors are very
interested in the program. Comments were included on documents that were
sent in during the last week of February. These comments, along with the
comments received at the workshop, will be reviewed by EH-30 staff and
submitted to the Secretary of Energy for approval. Pending approval of
the documents, EH-30 staff expects receipt of applications in October
1993. For more information, contact Sandeeva Kanth (EH-31.2) at (301)
903-4516.
OSH/Worker Protection Pilot (WPP) Program Begins
The OSH/WPP Work Group conducted kickoff meetings at two of its four pilot
program sites, EG&G Idaho and K-25, where the pilot program developers,
representatives from EH-30 and EH-40, CSOs, line management, and
operations officers were able to discuss their pilot programs and voice
questions or concerns about implementation. The four programs, which
include EG&G Idaho's Hazard Communication Program, K-25's Confined Space
Entry Program, SNL's Electrical Safety Program, and PNL's Chemical
Management System were implemented in June and will run until November
1993. At that time, they will be reviewed and implemented by four
predetermined contractor sites.
The kickoff meetings, according to Michael Moore, Director,
Personnel Protection Division (EH-31.3), have a three-fold pur-
pose: to show DOE's commitment to the OSH/WPP program, to summarize the
program for pilot site representatives, and to conduct a hands-on
demonstration to help them plan the program's implementation. The OSH/WPP
Work Group is planning a series of "implementation visits" over the course
of the pilot programs to facilitate implementation and fine-tune the draft
program documents. For more information on the OSH/WPP program, contact
Michael Moore at (301) 903-5770.
Interpretations Line
"DOE's Interpretations Response Line is up and running and has been
enthusiastically received by the DOE community," said Raymond Rogers
(EH-31.2). The toll-free Response Line, which provides interpretations on
DOE Orders and DOE-prescribed OSH standards, received 52 calls in May
1993, up from 42 in April.
The toll-free line is staffed by OSH-experienced personnel who can
answer most requests in a single phone call. The Response Line has
resulted in the development of 25 new DOE interpretations so far, which
cover a wide range of subjects such as lockout/tagout, confined space
entry, and general electrical safety.
DOE and contractor personnel may call the line, 1-800-292-8061,
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. MST. For more
information, contact Raymond Rogers at (301) 903-7331.
FOCUS ON FIRE
Halon Phaseout Policy Issued
On May 5, 1993, a joint policy document was issued by the Office of
Nuclear Safety (NS) and EH-30 on the managed phaseout of Halon fixed
fire-suppression systems. This policy reflects the Department's
responsibilities to reduce ozone-depleting substances in accordance with
international treaties, the 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act, and
Executive Order 12843. The policy's underlying position is that DOE will
aggressively pursue alternate fire protection configurations in lieu of
Halon fire protection systems that are currently in place. Some of the
principal facets of this new policy follow::
o Deactivate existing Halon systems without significantly
affecting safety.
o Convert automatic systems to manual activation where
timely human response can be assured.
o Minimize the potential for inadvertent Halon discharges.
o Prioritize systems based on safety.
o Maintain an inventory of excess Halon.
o Develop contingency plans when discharges occur.
o Expedite planning for projects to replace Halon systems
with alternate means of protection.
Copies of the policy document are available from Dennis Kubicki
(EH-31.3) at (301) 903-4794.
Model Fire Hazards Analyses Under Development
Reflecting the requirements of the recently issued revision to the DOE
Fire Protection Order, 5480.7A, and the criteria contained in the November
7, 1991, Departmental policy statement on the performance of Fire Hazards
Analyses (FHA), the fire protection staff of DP is developing model FHAs
for use in future analyses. Initially, models for two representative
facilities will be developed so as to reflect the "graded approach" to
FHAs recommended by the Fire Protection Order. One of the goals of this
effort is to reduce the costs of analysis development by eliminating
extraneous information contained in such analyses. The target date for
completion of this effort has not yet been announced. For more
information, contact Bill Boyce (DP-621) at (301) 903-5169.
GOCO ACTIVITIES
DNFSB Finds Progress in Pantex Followup Visit
A review team from the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB)
noted "significant progress" in Pantex Site's efforts to correct
deficiencies identified by the Board in its July 1992 visit. In its
followup review of March 9-11, 1993, the DNFSB found improvements in
training and qualification of personnel and supervisors and progress in
conduct of operations--all areas of concern to plant safety. Located in
Amarillo, TX, Pantex is managed and operated by Mason & Hanger-Silas Mason
Company, Inc., with Battelle Pantex as the major subcontractor for
environment, safety, and health.
Jay DeLoach of the DNFSB technical staff wrote in his April 8, 1993,
trip report summary that "due to significant management attention, the
newly implemented [training and qualification] programs are proceeding in
the right direction" and appear "solidly built" to DNFSB staff and outside
experts.
The DNFSB review noted several specific examples of progress
at the plant:
o Pantex has defined the training and qualification
requirements for personnel in several divisions, according to
DOE Orders and has begun the job and task analyses needed to
refine the requirements. This program is ahead of schedule.
o Mason & Hanger has "enhanced visibility and support" of
training, strengthened training staff, and improved
coordination between operations and training groups.
o Supervisors are being trained to a higher standard than
operators and receive periodic recertification as required by
DOE Order 5480.20, Personnel Selection Qualification,
Training and Staffing Requirements at DOE Reactor and
Non-Reactor Nuclear Facilities.
Pantex Training and Development Technologies Department Manager
Everett Poore attributes the progress at Pantex to both the "serious
support of senior management" and "the concerted effort" by employees
throughout the plant. Senior managers have, for example, made a 2-year
commitment to teach the Pantex course in formality of operations. Weapons
training is doing a better job of teaching adherence to procedures and
attention to safety. Training personnel have revised and improved both
job and task analyses and general employee training, using bench-marking
data gathered in visits to Oak Ridge, Savannah River, and commercial
nuclear facilities.
While expressing pleasure with the staff findings, DNFSB Chairman
John T. Conway noted in his letter transmitting the report to Secretary
O'Leary that "much work remains to be done." Pantex must still develop
fundamental knowledge training and training in Nuclear Explosive Operation
Procedures for weapons dismantlement. DOE must implement a plan and
schedule for the training and qualification of technical staff in the
Amarillo Area Office and approve the site's Training Implementation
Matrix.
Y-12 Progresses with VPP
Management and employees affirmed their support for the Y-12 Plant's
participation in DOE's VPP (see VPP Update on page 11) during Safety Day
ceremonies held at the facility on May 12, 1993. Martin Marietta Energy
Systems, Inc. (MMES), and DOE managers and leaders of the Atomic Trades
and Labor Council (ATLC) and the International Guards Union of America
(IGUA) signed letters of commitment to the program, pledging to work
together to meet VPP goals.
Y-12 is seeking star status in the VPP program, which recognizes a
facility's comprehensive excellence in OSH. The Plant is the first DOE
facility to obtain all formal employee and management commitments to the
criteria DOE has set for the program.
During the VPP ceremonies, MMES Vice-President Jeff Bostock called
the attitude needed for success in VPP a "natural extension of our Total
Quality Management (TQM) program at Y-12." ATLC President Jim Hamby
pointed to "the safety of all employees" as "one thing all of us agree
on."
Y-12 began studying OSHA's VPP program in 1990 and formed a VPP Team
in 1991. Delays in abating numerous OSH hazards were an initial stumbling
block for the Plant, but rapid improvements came in 1992 with the use of a
new risk assessment system. By the end of December, Y-12 had corrected
all of its higher-risk findings.
For more information on Y-12's VPP Team, call Jerry Robertson at
(615) 576-0223. For information on the Safety Day Program, call Mark
McKinney at (615) 574-1568.
NOTEWORTHY PRACTICE
Effective Communication Improves MK-Ferguson's Safety Performance
Safety indicators for MK-Ferguson of Idaho Company (MK-FIC) tell a success
story: more than 750,000 staff hours have been worked without a lost-time
illness or injury, and the 1993 combined MK-FIC and subcontractor rate of
4.4 cases of total recordable incidents per 200,000 staff hours is far
lower than the construction industry average of 12.8. The record is even
more notable given that the combined rate was 31.56 in 1991 and 7.34 in
1992.
Both ID and MK-FIC attribute this turnaround in safety to vigorous
efforts to communicate ES&H goals to all employees and subcontractors and
to give frequent feedback on performance. MK-FIC implemented an ES&H
Performance Indicators and Goals Program, which set specific safety goals
and tracked results in achieving them. The company includes
subcontractors, who perform 90 percent of all MK-FIC's construction
projects in the new program. To raise the safety awareness of more than
200 MK-FIC personnel and 650 subcontractor personnel, the program uses a
variety of media, such as frequent safety meetings, safety bulletins and
alerts, billboards, and critiques.
MK-FIC General Manager David Hartfield sees employee and
subcontractor ownership of safety as the critical link between these
efforts to heighten safety awareness and actual improvements. "It all
comes down to ownership. Each employee, whether manager or craft, MK-FIC
or subcontractor, must recognize that safety is their responsibility
and this accountability must be enforced."
Bob Secondo, Idaho's Deputy Assistant Manager for Site Engineering
and Support, observes that MK-FIC has met its project goals while
improving its safety record. "There's a perception that we have to choose
between pushing the job to reduce costs or going slower to reduce risks.
We need to convince industry that integrating safety is smart and can be
cost-effective."
For more information on the Program, contact Bob Secondo at (208)
526-1637.
SAFETY INITIATIVES
Partnership Between EH and EM Provides
Smooth Beginning for ERWM Program
The EH-30 initiative on cleanup worker safety and health during
Environmental Restoration and Waste Management (ERWM) activities continues
in several areas. As part of its technical assistance to EM, EH-30 staff
participated in the PUREX Deactivation Project Planning Workshop to help
emphasize worker safety and health issues that need to be addressed during
the deactivation process. PUREX is the first of several major chemical
processing facilities to be deactivated at Hanford. Deactivation is a
process performed between facility operating and decontamination and
decommissioning phases. It includes the removal, stabilization, and
disposal of residual radiological and nonradiological hazardous materials.
The PUREX deactivation process will take approximately 3 years and is
scheduled to end in late 1996. EH-30 will monitor progress being achieved
with PUREX deactivation and provide technical consultation, as
appropriate, in the areas of OSH and engineering safety analysis.
EH-30 also participated with the Office of Facility Transition and
Management (EM-60) in its preturnover review of the Rocky Flats Plant.
The review served to help EM establish a baseline for accepting management
of surplus facilities resulting from the phase-out of defense production.
This type of program cooperation will continue for future EM site reviews.
A series of outreach meetings with organizations from outside DOE
have been sponsored by EH-30. The purpose of these meetings is to make
available to DOE the experiences of other government and industry cleanup
activities and apply the lessons learned to DOE cleanup operations.
Several meetings have been conducted with representatives from the
following: labor unions, National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Army Corps of
Engineers, and the EPA-Labor Safety and Health Task Group. EH-30 plans to
conduct additional meetings throughout the rest of 1993.
For more information on EH ERWM activities, contact Tony Eng
(EH-33.1) at (301) 903-4210.
Preventive Safety - Key to DOE Improvement
Tara O'Toole, M.D., nominee for DOE Assistant Secretary for Environment,
Safety and Health, spoke on May 12, 1993, to participants at the Office of
Energy Research's (ER) ES&H Coordination Meeting. Dr. O'Toole described
her vision of a new DOE characterized by honesty, openness, attention to
"preventive safety," and excellence in ES&H. Excellence, she stated, must
be "built in" across all parts of DOE and "from the ground up."
Commenting on the role of the Office of Environment, Safety and
Health (EH), Dr. O'Toole said that the oversight function needed to be
"streamlined." She emphasized that EH must identify problems and see that
they are addressed before they lead to accidents. Improving this
capability requires systems to identify the problems, since EH staff
cannot "observe every action in the nuclear weapons complex." Dr. O'Toole
stated that ES&H Progress Assessment Reviews will continue. She agreed
that while reviews and assessments have been "painful," they have provided
needed information. The challenge now is to "work our way out of the
morass."
The Headquarters line programs, in turn, will retain responsibility
for their ES&H operations. They will no longer field teams of assessors,
but they will need to develop management tools to gauge the performance of
operations offices and contractors. Day-to-day oversight of contractors
will be the responsibility of operations offices, and measures of
accountability will be instituted. The Associate Deputy Secretary for
Field Management will coordinate policy to help eliminate gaps and
contradictions in operations offices' practice.
Dr. O'Toole made the following additional points in response to
questions from the audience:
o An optimal health and safety program for the nuclear
complex does not yet exist; DOE must take the best
aspects of existing elements of DOE and contractor plans
and learn from activities in the private sector,
emphasizing a TQM approach. There is a "lot of creating
to do."
o Inconsistencies among DOE health and safety plans are
partly the result of the failure of DOE management to
signal clear expectations and impose sufficient quality
control.
o Laboratory managers must involve scientists in
identification of hazards and solution decisions and
implementation. Oversight must be sensibly tailored to
meet the unique needs of each situation.
o DOE must explicitly state the expectations it has of its
contractors. DOE must measure performance, reward good
practices, and support preventive safety.
o Reinforcing Secretary O'Leary's view that
external regulation is essential to DOE credibility, Dr.
O'Toole said that the reasons for excluding DOE from
OSHA regulation no longer apply and that OSHA
jurisdiction will help make expectations uniform across
the Department.
In the environmental arena, Dr. O'Toole does not expect National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) oversight practices to change dramatically
or quickly. She observed that EH "intends to show more initiative in
resolving environmental problems" by emphasizing areas like waste
minimization.
In summary, Dr. O'Toole stated that realignment of DOE will
strengthen ES&H accountability. While public safety remains important,
she said, more attention will now be paid to protecting workers.
Tara O'Toole obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree from George
Washington University in Washington, DC. She also holds a Master's in
Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. Dr. O'Toole
has been a Senior Analyst with the Congressional Office of Technology
Assessment, where she was the principal investigator for Hazards Ahead:
Managing Cleanup Worker Health and Safety at the Nuclear Weapons Complex,
the recent report on worker health and safety in DOE's environmental
cleanup work.
Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Advisory
Committee Examines DOE Worker Safety Programs
The Health and Safety Subcommittee of the DOE Environmental Restoration
and Waste Management Advisory Committee (EMAC) met in Oak Ridge, TN, on
April 20, 1993. Information and viewpoints on key safety and health
issues were exchanged. Four formal presentations by invited DOE speakers
and one informal report formed the basis of the agenda. The subcommittee
was formed from members of the full EMAC to study worker and community
health and safety issues related to the programs of DOE's Office of
Environmental Restoration and Waste Management (EM), especially the
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement.
DOE Cleanup: Integrating Worker Safety and Health
Michael Moore, Director of DOE's Personnel Protection Division
(EH-31.3), presented an overview of DOE's occupational safety program. He
described the immensity of the job to identify and estimate resources
needed to "achieve and maintain compliance with current environmental,
safety, and health requirements and standards" for the dozens of DOE and
DOE-contractor sites across the nation.
Mr. Moore emphasized DOE's commitment to a revitalized OSH program,
noting Secretary of Energy Hazel O'Leary's identification of employee
safety and health as her top priority. He described the substantial rise
in costs for injuries and accidents, including medical-case costs, lost
workdays or periods of restricted activity, and numerous indirect costs.
These indirect costs include time lost by the work crew, costs related to
replacement of workers, supervisory and administrative time for
investigating and reporting, and damaged property. Mr. Moore also showed
that the costs for proposed penalties from OSHA for noncompliance totaled
$174.2 million nationwide for 1992, and he reminded the audience that
legislation now in Congress would bring DOE under OSHA jurisdiction.
He discussed the numerous initiatives within the Department to
assess needs and offer assistance to line management, such as assistance
visits, the occupational safety standards interpretations toll-free phone
line, the WPP Program (see OSH/WPP Program Begins article on page 12), and
VPP (see VPP Update on page 11). He also discussed DOE's trend toward
awarding contracts on an award-fee basis, which allows monetary
compensation based partly on OSH performance.
Concerning the job ahead in OSH, Mr. Moore noted the following:
o Fatalities are on the upswing at DOE sites.
o Costs for injury and illness are not fully realized.
o Thousands of OSH deficiencies must be addressed within
existing resources.
o Greater focus must be placed on the workers themselves to
achieve long-range solutions.
In conclusion, Mr. Moore noted "persistent culture problems" in that
"old-time" line management still does not place OSH issues in their proper
perspective alongside production requirements. He said that Secretary
O'Leary was pointing the way toward the solution by integrating safety and
health with all other aspects of facility operation.
EM's Commitment to Safety and Health
Mr. Randal S. Scott, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oversight and
Self-Assessment (EM-20) highlighted the following five-step safety and
health process within EM:
(1) Identify potential hazards to workers and the public.
(2) Identify requirements to prevent harm.
(3) Implement requirements.
(4) Verify compliance with requirements.
(5) Implement corrective action, when required.
This process is important, said Mr. Scott, but EM has learned a
valuable lesson over the past few years--statements and policies are not
enough. He said that actions must follow that involve everyone in the
safety and health process, especially the workers who are most at risk.
"The smartest approach in dealing with literally thousands of problems
already identified," said Mr. Scott, "is to focus on fixing the root
causes."
Mr. Scott said that DOE predecessors (the Atomic Energy Commission
and the Energy Research and Development Administration) pioneered
radiological safety, setting the standards for the world. He said that
now is the time to apply the same level of effort to occupational safety.
He admitted that for many of EM's major activities, there is little or no
real industry experience or guidance. In a sense, DOE will be pioneering
again.
A few years ago DOE needed to become more aware of the environmental
consequences of its operations, recalled Mr. Scott. Today, DOE's
environmental performance has greatly improved. He said that now another
challenge faces the Department--awareness of occupational safety must come
to the forefront. Mr. Scott asked the subcommittee to help focus
attention on safety and health issues and to recommend priorities that
would provide the most gain.
K-25 Worker Safety Programs
David Howard, Director of the Office of Self-Assessment, DOE Oak
Ridge Operations Office (OR), presented an overview and lessons learned
from the Type A Accident Investigation conducted at K-25 concerning the
fatality that occurred there on November 14, 1992. The study revealed ten
primary and nine secondary contributing causes and four root causes for
the hoisting and lifting accident. Mr. Howard listed the following six
basic lessons learned:
(1) Follow good hoisting and lifting safety practices,
including prejob planning, use of proper equipment,
inspection of equipment, training, accurate weight
determination, and separation in space of employees from
suspended load.
(2) Exercise work control, especially for nonroutine tasks.
(3) Intensify safety measures when schedule pressure
increases.
(4) Establish clear lines of responsibility for work when
workers from various organization and contractors are
involved.
(5) Ensure management and oversight personnel become
involved in operations.
(6) Ensure all workers understand that they have the right
to invoke the "stop-work" authority, without fear of
retribution.
Robert Stroud, Division of Environmental Restoration, OR, provided
an overview of the Worker Safety Programs at the K-25 Site in Oak Ridge.
The multifaceted programs include extensive internal assessments and
inspections and substantial training. Mr. Stroud presented data that
indicate declines in the rate for reportable injuries and illnesses and
restricted workday cases at K-25. In addition, Mr. Stroud showed that the
injury and illness rate at K-25 was 4.38 during 1992, compared to all
industries at 8.4 and operations under Standard Industrial Classification
(SIC) Code 28, "Chemicals and Allied Products," at 6.4. The rate for
lost-time cases at K-25 during 1992 was 1.57, compared to 3.9 for all
industries and 3.1 for operations under SIC Code 28.
Off-Site Population Exposure
At the request of the subcommittee, Tim Joseph, DOE/OR Environmental
Protection Division, presented a brief overview and progress report on the
Tennessee Health Studies Agreement. This study is being carried out
independently of DOE by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of
Environmental Epidemiology, through a grant from DOE of over $12 million.
Dr. Joseph reported that Phase I, the feasibility study, is
underway. He said that hundreds of documents have been reviewed and about
60 employees have been interviewed by the State's contractor. The review
assessed whether historical data and information are adequate for
performing dose reconstruction and/or epidemiological studies.
Dr. Joseph said that final draft task reports are scheduled to be
completed by August 1993. He said that anyone desiring more information
on this work can contact him at (615) 576-1582.
The Health and Safety Subcommittee met again on June 14, 1993, in
Golden, CO. This meeting focused on community safety and health issues.
Ultimately, the Subcommittee will make recommendations to the full EMAC on
relevant safety and health matters for possible inclusion in the
Committee's formal recommendations to DOE.
Energy Research Holds Fifth Semiannual ES&H Coordination Meeting
Jim Decker, Deputy Director, ER, reaffirmed ER's continuing, undiminished
commitment to ES&H in the face of internal realignment and a shifting
world order at ER's fifth Semiannual ES&H Coordination Meeting, held May
11-13, 1993, in Gaithersburg, MD. Objectives of the meeting follow:
(1) Review actions from the fourth meeting,
held in November 1992.
(2) Exchange information on current ES&H
activities.
(3) Identify and resolve issues of concern.
(4) Promote cooperation, collaboration, and
teamwork in fulfilling respective ES&H roles and
responsibilities.
More than 140 people attended, including ES&H managers from all ER
laboratories and five operations offices, as well as personnel from ER and
EH.
For the past 3 years, the meeting has provided a forum for ER ES&H
personnel to generate ideas, solve problems, and exchange information in a
collaborative, mutually beneficial environment. This ongoing issue-
identification and problem-solving approach by ER and laboratory teams
reflects Secretary O'Leary's philosophy of TQM to effect organizational
change.
Dr. Tara O'Toole, nominee for Assistant Secretary for Environment,
Safety and Health, addressed the meeting. She emphasized that the current
reorganization of DOE will improve oversight functions for ES&H, and she
stressed the importance of identifying problems before they become
accidents. (For a summary of Dr. O'Toole's remarks, see story, page 16).
A series of workshops addressed ES&H concerns such as NEPA, nuclear
facility safety documentation, environmental compliance/waste management,
quality assurance and conduct of operations, ES&H 5-year planning and risk
management, the Accelerator Safety Guide, fire protection, pollution
prevention/waste minimization, and OSH compliance.
Joe Maher, meeting Chairman and Director of ER's Office of
Assessment and Support (ER-8), stated in his closing remarks that ER and
meeting participants have demonstrated, through this meeting, activities
consistent with the new approach to business, i.e., teamwork and trust.
He emphasized that ER management fully endorses and supports the value of
these meetings and recognizes their importance in offering opportunities
for teamwork, trust, and collaboration in issue resolution and
implementation of new ES&H Initiatives.
The sixth Semiannual ES&H Coordination Meeting is tentatively
scheduled for November 1993 in Gaithersburg, MD. For more information,
contact Joe Maher at (301) 903-4097.
OSH RESOURCES
Occupational Hazards
Penton Publications introduced a new magazine at the 1993 AIHCE
conference in New Orleans, LA, May 17-20, 1993. Occupational Hazards:
The Magazine of Safety, Health and Environmental Management will be
published monthly and is available on a free 6-month trial basis to safety
and health professionals. The magazine features articles on model safety
programs and leaders in the safety and health field, and includes regular
columns on OSHA, EPA, and other safety and health developments. For more
information, call (216) 696-7000 or write to David Gursky, Publisher,
Occupational Hazards, Penton Publications, 1100 Superior Avenue,
Cleveland, OH 44197-8036.
Ergonomics Assistance and Free Newsletter
The Crew System Ergonomics Information Analysis Center (CSERIAC)
provides information and technical support to help incorporate principles
of ergonomics into equipment design and operation. Sponsored by the
Defense Technical Information Center, managed by the Armstrong Laboratory
at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and operated by the University of
Dayton Research Institute, CSERIAC offers ergonomic services and products
such as computer models, software, publications, and evaluation tools.
The CSERIAC Gateway, a bimonthly newsletter, includes technical articles
and research reports of interest to DOE OSH professionals concerned with
ergonomics. To request a free subscription, call the CSERIAC Program
Office at (513) 255-4842.
APHA Documents
American Public Health Association (APHA) documents cover OSH issues
in addition to their coverage of public health and safety topics. Various
workplace hazards are addressed in APHA manuals such as Teaching about Job
Hazards and handbooks such as Preventing Occupational Disease and Injury.
To inquire about these and other APHA publications, contact APHA
Publications Sales at (202) 789-5636.
WRITE TO US
If you have any comments or suggestions for improving The Safety
Connection, or if you are interested in submitting an article,
announcement, or information on a resource to be published in future
newsletters, please write to us at the following address:
The Safety Connection
Safety Performance
Indicator Division
EH-31.4 GTN
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585
For distribution changes, additions, or deletions, please call (615) 576-
7548.
ORDERS, REGULATIONS, AND GUIDANCE
Status of EH-30 Safety Orders
DOE Order No. Subject Contact Status
5480.1B ES&H Program for Rama Sastry Order remains in
Department of Energy (301) 903-4664 effect pending
Operations incorporation of
exemption
provisions into
all other Orders.
5480.3 Safety Requirements Mike Wangler Coordinating with
for the Packaging and (301) 903-5078 EM. Order is
Transportation of being subdivided
Hazardous Materials, into four
Hazardous Substances, & separate Orders.
Hazardous Wastes
5480.4 Environmental Protec- Darrell Huff To be phased out
tion, Safety, and Health (301) 903-2136 through the
Protection Standards eventual
incorporation of
standards into
other safety
Orders.
5480.9 Construction Project Pat Finn Recommended for
Safety and Health (301) 903-9876 approval by ESHAC
Management to S-1.
5480.16 Firearms Safety Ed Patigalia Out of informal
(301) 903-3972 review and
comment.
5480.17 Site Safety Mike Hillman On hold.
Representatives (301) 903-5637
5480.XX Onsite Transportation Mike Wangler Orders is being
of Hazardous Materials (301) 903-5078 subdivided into
smaller, separate
Orders.
5481.1B Safety Analysis and Darrell Huff Coordinating with
Review System (301) 903-2136 NE for possible
consolidation
into DOE Order
5480.23
5482.1B ES&H Appraisal Program Billy Lee Being assessed
(301) 903-4884 for possible
cancellation.
5483.1A OSH Program for DOE Joe Hopkins Being incor-
Contractor Employees at (301) 903-5619 porated into
GOCO Facilities 5483.XX, which
was recommended
for approval by
ESHAC to S-1.
5480.XX is
currently under-
going a second
informal review.
5484.1 Environmental Protec- Dave Smith Recordkeeping,
tion, Safety, and (301) 903-4669 injury/illness
Health Protection portion included
Information Reporting in draft DOE
Requirements Order 5483.XX.
Coordinating with
NS.
5700.6C Quality Assurance Jacques Read Undergoing imple-
(301) 903-2535 mentation by DOE
field elements.
6430.1A General Design Criteria Darrell Huff Formal comments
(301) 903-2136 are being
resolved.
FUTURE WORKSHOPS
Call for Papers: Waste Management (WM) Symposium
to include Health and Safety Session
WM'94, the 20th annual nuclear waste symposium co-sponsored by DOE, will
be held in Tucson, AZ, from February 27 to March 3, 1994, and will include
a technical paper session on worker health and safety issues related to
environmental restoration and waste management. The stated objective of
the symposium is "to increase understanding and improvement of the nuclear
environment through education and research in nuclear waste management and
remediation of the national and global environment."
Carol Peabody, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Safety and Quality Assurance (EH-30), is organizing the safety and
health technical session. "Worker safety and health issues are among
the most significant priorities in the environmental remediation and
waste management projects facing the Department now and in the coming
decades," said Ms. Peabody. "With the current transition to
decontamination and decommissioning efforts, it is clearly the right time
to include papers on these topics in next year's symposium."
Suggestions for safety and health papers should be addressed to
Ms. Peabody at U.S. DOE, EH-30, 270 CC, Washington, DC 20585 [FAX (301)
903-3189; Phone (301) 903-3869]. Anyone needing more information about
the conference should contact:
Waste Management Symposia, Inc.
245 S. Plumer, Suite 19
Tucson, AZ 85719
(602) 624-8573
Firearms Training and Safety Workshop
During the week of July 19, 1993, LANL will be hosting a combined meeting
of the DOE Firearms Safety Committee meeting and Annual DOE Firearms
Training and Safety Workshop. The schedule will allow participants to
attend each meeting. The Workshop will be held July 19-21, while the
committee meeting will be held July 20-22. For further details contact
Pat Tran (EH-31.3) at (301) 903-5638.
TIS Workshop to be Held at Occupational Safety Conference
In conjunction with DOE's Occupational Safety Conference in Chicago, IL,
in October 1993, the new ES&H electronic information system will offer a
hands-on training session. Recently named the ES&H Technical Information
Services (TIS), the system is fast, flexible, and user-friendly. "It will
revolutionize the way we gather environment, safety, and health
information," said Steven Simon, Director, Safety Performance Indicator
Division (EH-31.4), and manager of the program to develop the new system.
"It is compatible with IBM, IBM-compatibles, and Apple Macintosh PCs. It
is powerful. Best of all, it is easy to learn."
Registration is going on now for the limited number of TIS hands-on
training sessions. Only 200 spots are open for this initial training.
"This select group will be instrumental in helping us refine the system
and make it even more useful," said Mr. Simon. He explained that after
the training, participants will be the first to receive access to the
system for a trial period, during which they will be asked to provide
comments and constructive criticism before the system is made available to
the rest of the DOE community.
The training is scheduled for October 5, 1993, the day before the
opening of the Occupational Safety Conference. Registration for the TIS
training sessions is included in the Occupational Safety Conference
information package, which was mailed in June 1993. Anyone interested in
the TIS training who did not receive a package can register by calling
Carla Cavaiani, INEL, at (800) 473-4375.
DOE'S SECOND ANNUAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CONFERENCE
The second annual occupational safety conference will be held October 6-8,
1993, in Chicago, IL. The conference is being held in conjunction with
OSHA's Annual Federal Safety and Health Conference and the National Safety
Council's 1993 Congress and Exposition.
This year's conference will offer double the number of technical
sessions, as requested by attendees at the 1992 conference. Also, the
session topics that were most popular last year will be offered twice this
year to enable more people to attend them. The conference will be 2 1/2
days long this year, a full day longer than last year's conference.
Although the selection of presenters and subjects in not yet final,
Headquarters and operations offices staffs were solicited for papers and
session topics that cover policies, practices, success stories, and other
significant activities that affect occupational safety.
Since Secretary O'Leary has made safety and health a major DOE
initiative, Roy Gibbs, Acting Director, Office of Occupational Safety (EH-
31) stated, "This conference is a step in meeting the Secretary's
initiative. It also will improve communication and knowledge between DOE
and other Federal and public safety and health professionals. Its
attendees are promised a good program.
In you need additional information about the conference, contact Daphne
Zweifel, Compa Industries, 6290 Montrose Road, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD
20852. Phone: (301) 230-0041, FAX: (301) 881-5765.
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Workshop When Where Contact
MORT-Based Root Cause July 13-15, 1993 Knoxville, TN Janice Brown
Analysis (208) 526-1397
National Conference July 18-22, 1993 Washington, DC Patricia Sullivan
on Ergonomics, Safety, (202) 962-8490
and Health in
Construction: Setting
the Agenda
Firearms Training and July 19-21, 1993 Los Alamos, NM Pat Tran
Safety Workshop (301) 903-5638
Environmental Audit July 20-22, 1993 Oak Ridge, TN Bill Hasselkus
Training Course September 21-23, Kansas City, (202 586-6765
1993 MO
November 16-18, San Francicso,
1993 CA
MORT Accident August 2-13, Richland, WA Janice Brown
Investigation (A/I) 1993 (208) 526-1397
MORT A/I Refresher August 31-Sept 2, Albuquerque, Janice Brown
1993 NM (208) 526-1397
International Process September 22-24, San Francisco, ETA
Safety 1993 Ca (800) 645-1983
National Safety October 3-8, Chicago, IL John Fleming
Council Congress & 1993 (202) 293-2270
Exposition
OSHA's Annual Federal October 4-6, Chicago, IL John Plummer
Safety and Health 1993 (202) 219-9329
Conference
Technical Information October 5, 1993 Chicago, IL Carla Cavaiani
Services (TIS) (800) 473-4375
Workshop
DOE's 2nd Annual October 6-8, Chicago, IL Daphne Zweifel
Safety Conference 1993 (301) 881-5765
American Public October 24-28, San Francisco, APHA
Health Association 1993 CA (202) 789-5600
(APHA) Annual Meeting
17th Annual TRADE November 15-17, Indianapolis, Denise Hawkins
Conference 1993 IN (301) 230-0041
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Fire Safety Training
There is no cost for attending Factory Mutual courses other than travel
and lodging. This basic course was designed to give managers, fire
department officers, and safety professionals a sound foundation in fire
protection engineering principles.
The series of DOE-oriented Life Safety Code courses planned for FY
1993 continues the presentations that began in 1992. The course differs
from those presented by the National Fire Protection Association because
it uses examples of life safety issues at DOE facilities and approaches
decision making on the basis of flexibility rather than literal code
compliance.
Course When Where Contact
Advanced Fire July 19-23, 1993 Factory Mutual Dennis Kubicki
Protection Engineering Research Corp. (301) 903-4794
Norwood, MA
Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) Courses
A DOE occupational safety and health training resource was established at
PNL to provide high quality OSH training that meets all applicable
requirements. To attend already scheduled sessions, please call the site
contact. To schedule a course for your site, contact Rosanna Marlatt,
Safety and Health Training, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, P.O. Box 999,
K5-24, Richland, WA 99352, telephone (509) 372-2092.
Course When Where Contact
Injury/Illness July 16, 1993 Savannah River Mary Tunison
Recordkeeping Aiken, SC (803) 644-5823
Managing Occupational September 14-23, Fermi Larry Thompson
Safety in DOE (M-101) 1993 Laboratory (708) 840-8806
Batavia. IL
Process Safety September 20-22, San Francisco, Joe Angyus
Management Training 1993 CA (509) 372-4197
Transportation Training Program
DOE's Transportation Management Division (EM-561) sponsors initial and
recurrent training to ensure uniform understanding and application of
Federal regulations governing packaging and transportation safety. All of
this training incorporates the HM-181 requirements of the Department of
Transportation (DOT). Because participation in some courses requires
completion of prerequisites, please check with the training registrar
(301) 907-8200 before enrolling. For a course list, call Training
Registration at (301) 907-8200.
Course When Where Contact
Hazardous Waste July 19-23, 1993 Cincinnati, OH Training
Transportation and August 23-27, Golden, CO Registration
Packaging 1993 (301) 907-8200
DOT/OSHA/EPA Workshop July 20-22, 1993 Idaho Falls, Training
ID Registration
August 17-19, Cincinnati, OH (301) 907-8200
1993
Advanced Transpor- July 26-30, 1993 Livermore, CA Training
tation Compliance August 16-20, Idaho Falls, Registration
Training 1993 ID (301) 907-8200
September 13-17, Oak Ridge, TN
1993
Basic Hazardous July 12-13, 1993 Idaho Falls, Training
Materials Workshop ID Registration
August 9-10, Richland, WA (301) 907-8200
1993
Basic Radioactive July 14-16, 1993 Idaho Falls, Training
Materials Workshop ID Registration
August 11-13, Richland, WA (301) 907-8200
1993
Driver's Training August 3, 1993 Albuquerque, Training
Modules NM Registration
September 21, Atlanta, GA (301) 907-8200
1993
Vehicle Inspection August 31, 1993 Oak Ridge, TN Training
for Maintenance Registration
Personnel (301) 907-8200
TRAINING IN PROCESS SAFETY MEASUREMENT
The DOE Office of Safety and Quality Assurance (EH-30) is planning a
series of workshops on OSHA Process Safety Management requirements and
hazard analysis techniques. For information, call Sandeeva Kanth
(EH-31.2) at (301) 903-4516. The following schedule provides additional
training outside of DOE.
July 1993
12-18 Environmental, Health and Safety Law, Institute for Applied
Management and Law, Inc., Orlando, FL (714) 760-1700
19-23 Environmental, Health and Safety Law, Institute for Applied
Management and Law, Inc., Newport Beach, CA (714) 760-1700
August
4-6 Process Safety Management, Center for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE,
Seattle, WA
9-13 Safety Analysis and Risk Assessment for Chemical Process Industry
Practitioners, Course 1: Hazards Evaluation: Qualitative Methods, Center
for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE, Seattle, WA
10-12 OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.119: The Process Safety Management
Approach for Compliance, Center for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE,
Seattle, WA
12-13 Fundamentals of Chemical Process Safety, Center for Chemical
Process Safety, AIChE, Seattle, WA
18-20 Use of Hazard and Operability Studies in Process Risk Management,
Center for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE, Seattle, WA
23-27 Safety Analysis and Risk Assessment for Chemical Process Industry
Practitioners, Course 2: Hazards Evaluation: Quantitative Methods,
Center for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE, Seattle, WA
25-26 Management of Change, Center for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE,
Seattle, WA
September
13-14 Fundamentals of Chemical Process Safety, Center for Chemical
Process Safety, AIChE, Orlando, FL
13-15 OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.119: The Process Safety Management
Approach for Compliance, Center for Chemical Process Safety, AiChE,
Orlando, FL
15-17 Process Safety Management, Center for Chemical Process Safety,
AIChE, Orlando, FL
16-17 Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, Process Safety Institute,
Knoxville, TN [K. Evans, (615) 675-2580]
16-18 Use of Hazard and Operability Studies in Process Risk Management,
Center for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE, Orlando, FL
19-21 Process Safety Management, Center for Chemical Process Safety,
AIChE, San Francisco, CA
20-21 Management of Change, Center for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE,
San Francisco, CA
20-22 Process Safety Management Training, San Francisco, CA (509) 372-
4197 (DOE-sponsored; no charge)
20-24 Environmental, Health and Safety Law, Institute for Applied
Management and Law, Inc., Las Vegas, NV (714) 760-1700
October
4-8 Hazard Evaluation: Qualitative Methods, Process Safety Institute,
Knoxville, TN [K. Evans (615) 675-2580]
12-14 Advanced Process Hazard Analysis Leader Training, Process Safety
Institute, Knoxville, TN [K. Evans, (615) 675-2580]
25-29 Hazard & Operability and What-If/Checklist Leader Training,
Process Safety Institute, Knoxville, TN [K. Evans (615) 675-2580]
27-29 Process Safety Management, Center for Chemical Process Safety,
AIChE, St. Louis, MO
November
1-5 Safety Analysis and Risk Assessment for Chemical Process Industry
Practitioners, Course 1: Hazards Evaluation: Qualitative Methods, Center
for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE, St. Louis, MO
2-4 OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.119: The Process Safety Management
Approach for Compliance Center for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE,
St. Louis, MO
4-5 Fundamentals Of Chemical Process Safety, Center for Chemical Process
Safety, AIChE, St. Louis, MO
10-12 Use of Hazard and Operability Studies in Process Risk Management,
Center for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE, St. Louis, MO
15-19 Safety Analysis and Risk Assessment for Chemical Process Industry
Practitioners, Course 2, Hazards Evaluation: Quantitative Methods, Center
for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE, St. Louis, MO
17-18 Management of Change, Center for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE,
St. Louis, MO
December
5-6 Fundamentals of Chemical Process Safety, Center for Chemical
Process Safety, AIChE, New York, NY
7-9 Process Safety Management, Center for Chemical Process Safety,
AIChE, New York, NY
7-9 Process Safety Management: Complying with OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.119,
Process Safety Institute, Knoxville, TN [K. Evans (615) 675-2580]
8-10 Use of Hazard and Operability Studies in Process Risk Management,
Center for Chemical Process Safety, AIChE, New York, NY
The Safety Connection
Safety Performance Indicator Division
EH-31.4, Room 5113 270 CC Germantown
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585