News
New: DOE-STD-1212-2019, Explosives Safety
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Dec 03, 2019 03:02 PMProvides the basic technical requirements for an explosives safety program necessary to ensure safe operations involving explosives, explosives assemblies, pyrotechnics and propellants, and assemblies containing these materials. Establishes safety controls and standards not addressed in other existing DOE or non-DOE regulations and is intended to close the safety gap created by DOE’s unique activities to govern the DOE explosives safety process and ensure explosives safety is commensurate with the risk. Based on the Cardinal Principle of Explosives Safety, which is to limit exposure to a minimum number of personnel, for a minimum amount of time, to a minimum amount of explosives, consistent with safe and efficient operations. Supersedes DOE-STD-1212-2012, dated 6-27-2012.
RevCom: Project Justification Statement (PJS) for Revision to DOE-HDBK-1130-2008, Radiological Worker Training
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Oct 31, 2019 12:53 PMWhile most facilities currently have a RWT course that meets the requirements of 10 CFR 835, differences In contractor missions, radiological hazards, and contractor risk assessment has resulted in deviation from the Handbook recommendations for training. There is a need for flexibility, but there also needs to be a core fundamental training content that applies throughout the DOE. The DOE complex needs a core-course content template that ensures both compliance and reciprocity that sites can use with their site-specific hazards. Since the last revision of DOE-HDBK-1130-2008, training programs have matured and the handbook needs to be revised to reflect current radiological training practices as well as the various modalities of the training. The handbook will be revised to: • Develop a Rad Worker training course lesson plan that meets the requirements specified in 10 CFR 835.901 and provides the worker with enough knowledge to identify potential radiological hazards and maintain exposure to radiation As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). • Restructure RWT by creating modules that would address the variety of risks associated with DOE operations and be commensurate with the associated hazards. • Achieve reciprocity for use across DOE complex (does not include Site Specific information such as specific hazards, work control and radiation work permits).
New: DOE-STD-1187-2019, Beryllium-Associated Worker Registry Data Collection and Management Guidance
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Oct 29, 2019 12:22 PMThis standard provides acceptable methods for compliance with the requirements of Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 850.39 (10 CFR 850.39) “Recordkeeping and Use of Information.” It should be used by responsible employers subject to the requirements of 10 CFR 850 “Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program” to guide their submission of information to the Department of Energy (DOE) Beryllium-Associated Worker Registry. Use of this standard promotes consistent reporting and efficient analysis and dissemination of information to those who need to know.
New: DOE-STD-1194-2019, Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Sep 25, 2019 07:09 PMThis document describes establishing and maintaining a Material Control and Accountability (MC&A) program, where each MC&A program element is a part of a quality MC&A program. Each site/facility operator needs to establish a sustainable, effective graded safeguards program for the control and accounting of nuclear materials to detect and deter theft and diversion, and to prevent the unauthorized control of a weapon, test device, or materials that can be used to make an improvised nuclear device. The MC&A program implements a defense-in-depth system to ensure that all accountable nuclear materials are in their authorized location and being used for their intended purposes such that single component failures will not result in significant vulnerabilities. An effective and efficient MC&A program is based on the strategic and monetary value of the nuclear material.
New: DOE-STD-1112-2019, Department of Energy Laboratory Accreditation Program for Radiobioassay
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Sep 03, 2019 05:47 PMThis technical standard describes the U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOELAP) for radiobioassay, in support of worker health and safety. DOELAP accreditation involves performance testing and documentation of program elements important to the long-term quality assurance of a radiobioassay program, and assessment of the program’s ability to accurately perform, record, and report the measurement of radioactive material within the human body and in human biological samples. The information in this technical standard is intended for use by accredited programs, programs seeking accreditation, the Performance Testing Laboratory (PTL), DOELAP Assessors, and subcontracted vendors for implementation of the DOELAP requirements, including the technical and quality assurance aspects of the accredited program.
New: DOE-STD-1213-2014 Chg Notice 2, Protective Force Contingency Planning Technical Standard
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Aug 29, 2019 06:45 PMIn light of the events of September 11, 2001, and subsequent international terrorism events, it is even more vital than before to ensure national security interests and departmental personnel are well protected. Emergency situations stemming from natural or man-made disasters, including terrorist activities, may require the establishment and deployment of a contingency protective force (CPF) and the sustained conduct of operations. This Technical Standard has been developed to support the continued safe and secure operation of Department of Energy (DOE) sites and facilities, including National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) sites and facilities, and the protection of Departmental employees, including NNSA employees, contractor employees, and the public under such adverse conditions.
RevCom: Revision to DOE-SPEC-1142-2001, Beryllium Lymphocyte Proliferation Testing (BeLPT)
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Aug 13, 2019 03:19 PMThis will update the specification with the new quality assurance measures, instrumentation, and analytic methods. For example, several reagents need to be expanded upon as to concentration, sources available and additions of ones not mentioned in DOE-SPEC-1142-2001. The Complete Growth Media Preparations should be expanded to conform to different Laboratories methods (1X vs 2X). The List of Equipment needs clarification of requirements, since some instrumentation is outdated and newer technology is currently used. Furthermore, the analysis for outcomes of the test has been changed from Least Absolute Value to Least Squares. Therefore, the project will provide DOE with an updated specification for beryllium testing and document required changes to the testing procedure, ensuring the fidelity of testing guidance provided to the community.
New: DOE-HDBK-1233-2019, DOE Operations Security (OPSEC) Handbook
— by Patricia Greeson — last modified Jul 30, 2019 03:32 PMThe protection of classified information, projects, and missions is of paramount importance in fulfilling security responsibilities in connection with the Department of Energy (DOE). Operations Security (OPSEC) involves a process of determining unclassified or controlled critical information that may be an indicator or pathway to classified or sensitive activities requiring protection, whether for a limited or prolonged time. To ensure protection, employees should know and follow the applicable procedures and processes outlined in national and departmental policies.
New: DOE-HDBK-1230-2019, Commercial Grade Dedication Application Handbook
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Jul 16, 2019 05:40 PMThis Department of Energy (DOE) Handbook provides information to assist DOE and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) sites in developing a process for commercial grade dedication (CGD) of items and services. The Handbook includes a few examples of technical evaluation plans for CGD items. Case studies are documented throughout the Handbook to help clarify CGD processes that will assist the DOE and NNSA community in implementing effective and efficient CGD processes.
New: DOE-STD-1232-2019, U.S. Department of Energy Voluntary Protection Program Volume 1 - 4
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Jul 15, 2019 01:54 PMThis Department of Energy (DOE) Standard is approved for use by all DOE Components and their contractors. Originating on January 26, 1994, DOE Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) encourages and recognizes excellence in occupational safety and health protection. This program parallels the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) VPP. DOE designed DOE VPP to apply to all contractors in the DOE complex, including production facilities, laboratories, subcontractors, and support organizations. DOE contractors are not required to participate in DOE VPP. In keeping with OSHA and DOE VPP philosophy, participation is strictly voluntary. Additionally, participants may withdraw from the program at any time.
RevCom: Proposed New Standard for Canine Explosive Training Aid Management
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Jul 10, 2019 06:26 PMThe use of canines for the purpose of conducting security searches for explosives requires that training and testing programs establish confidence in the reliability of the canine teams to detect a wide variety of explosives. Sites within the DOE/NNSA complex utilize explosive training aids to assist with testing and training to maintain the proficiency of their explosive detection canine teams. Some explosives are easier for canines to detect than others, so it's important to understand if each canine team is capable of detecting the difficult explosives as well as the easy ones. To accomplish this it is essential that the explosives are as pure as feasible, and not cross contaminated . If a training aid for a difficult-to-detect explosive is cross contaminated with an easy-to-detect explosive the canine team may falsely indicate a detection of the difficult explosive during training or testing, when in fact they have only detected the easy explosive. The proposed standard therefore focuses on the handling, storage and transportation of explosive training aid samples such that they do not become cross contaminated, and remain pure for use in training and testing applications.
New: DOE-STD-1175-2019, Senior Technical Safety Manager Functional Area Qualification Standard
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Jul 09, 2019 07:38 PMThe primary purpose of the Technical Qualification Program (TQP) is to ensure employees have the requisite technical competency to support the mission of the Department of Energy (DOE). The TQP forms the basis for the development and assignment of DOE personnel responsible for ensuring the safe operation of defense nuclear facilities. The Functional Area Qualification Standards (FAQS) are not intended to replace the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) qualifications standards or other departmental personnel standards, rules, plans, or processes. However, the FAQS should be referenced when developing vacancy announcements, crediting plans, interview questions, and other criteria associated with the recruitment, selection, and internal placement of technical personnel.
RevCom: Project Justification for Proposed Revision to DOE-STD-5506-2007, Preparation of Safety Basis Documents for Transuranic (TRU) Waste Facilities
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Jun 21, 2019 02:49 PMThe revision to the Standard will incorporate best practices and lessons learned from Implementation and use of this Standard since it was first issued in 2007, and reflect revisions to related requirements for facility safety and safety basis design. This update will preserve and build upon the fundamental philosophy and approach of the current Standard.
New: DOE-STD-1151-2019, Facility Representative Functional Area Qualification Standard
— by Diane Johnson — last modified May 21, 2019 03:19 PMThe primary purpose of the Technical Qualification Program (TQP) is to ensure employees have the requisite technical competency to support the mission of the Department of Energy (DOE). The TQP forms the basis for the development and assignment of DOE personnel responsible for ensuring the safe operation of defense nuclear facilities. The Functional Area Qualification Standards (FAQS) are not intended to replace the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) qualifications standards or other departmental personnel standards, rules, plans, or processes. However, the FAQS should be referred to when developing vacancy announcements, crediting plans, interview questions, and other criteria associated with the recruitment, selection, and internal placement of technical personnel.
New: DOE-STD-1228-2019, Preparation of Documented Safety Analysis for Hazard Category 3 DOE Nuclear Facilities
— by Diane Johnson — last modified May 15, 2019 06:11 PMThis Department of Energy (DOE) Standard (STD), DOE-STD-1228-2019, describes an acceptable methodology for preparing hazard category (HC) 3 nuclear facility Documented Safety Analyses (DSAs). This Standard is a DOE-approved methodology for meeting the requirements in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 830, Nuclear Safety Management, Subpart B, Safety Basis Requirements. DOE deems this Standard to be an acceptable “successor document” to the methods in Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5 of DOE-STD–3009, Preparation Guide for U.S. Department of Energy Nonreactor Nuclear Facility Safety Analysis Reports, Change Notice No. 1, January 2000, as referenced in Table 2 of Appendix A to Subpart B, for the purpose of preparing DSAs for HC-3 DOE nonreactor nuclear facilities. As such, this Standard may be used as an acceptable safe harbor methodology as set forth in Appendix A to 10 CFR 830 Subpart B.
RevCom: DOE-STD-1194-20XX, Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability
— by Diane Johnson — last modified May 03, 2019 02:10 PMThis Technical Standard is one methodology that provides site facilities with an accepted compliance based means of meeting performance objectives and metrics for the requirements of policy for Material Control and Accountability (MC&A). The revision to the Standard will incorporate best practices and lessons learned from implementation and use of this Standard since it was last revised in October 2013.
RevCom: Project Justification for Proposed Revision to DOE-STD-1212-2012, Explosives Safety
— by Patricia Greeson — last modified Apr 19, 2019 05:15 PMThe Standard is being revised to provide clarification, as well as reflect Central Technical Authority test safety requirements and lessons learned after an injury at the Sandia National Laboratories involving the unintentional firing of a detonator. It also, reflects all DOE Explosives Safety Committee (ESC) approved proposals.
New: DOE-STD-1183-2019, Nuclear Safety Specialist Functional Area Qualification Standard
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Apr 08, 2019 07:18 PMThe Nuclear Safety Specialist (NSS) Functional Area Qualification Standard (FAQS) establishes common performance competencies for all DOE NSS personnel who provide assistance, direction, guidance, oversight, or evaluation of contractor technical activities that could impact the safe operation of DOE’s defense nuclear facilities. This FAQS has been developed as a tool to assist DOE Program and Field Offices in the development and implementation of the TQP in their organization.
New: DOE-HDBK-1226-2019, Conduct of Operations Implementation
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Mar 20, 2019 03:51 PMThis Handbook provides supplemental information, explanations, examples, and background to support implementation of disciplined operations described in DOE Order (O) 422.1, Administrative Change 2, Conduct of Operations. Its purpose is to provide a broader understanding of conduct of operations concepts and help operators implement the requirements in DOE O 422.1. It is applicable wherever the Order is implemented. It does not contain any additional requirements. This Handbook replaces DOE Standards 1030-1045, the former Guides to Good Practices associated with former DOE O 5480.19, Conduct of Operations Requirements for DOE Facilities.
RevCom: Project Justification Statement for the Development of DOE-HDBK-XXXX-YR, Seismic Evaluation Procedure for Equipment in U.S. Department of Energy Facilities
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Mar 20, 2019 02:58 PMThe DOE Report, DOE/EH-0545, Seismic Evaluation Procedure for Equipment in U.S. Department of Energy Facilities, 1997, will be converted into a Handbook. The Seismic Evaluation Procedure is intended to provide DOE facility managers, safety professionals, and engineers with a practical procedure for evaluating the seismic adequacy of equipment. It is comprised of experience-based methodologies and guidelines, screening evaluations and generic test data of equipment in industrial facilities subjected to seismic events. It is adapted from the Seismic Qualification Utility Group (SQUG} Generic Implementation Procedure IGIP} used by the nuclear power industry for resolving U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) unresolved safety issues. However, despite its wide usage around the DOE complex, it has not been updated since it's issuance in 1997. This effort is to provide technical updates and convert the report into a Handbook to clearly identify criteria and guidance for enhancing the seismic safety of facilities and reducing the potential for major economic loss that can result from equipment and systems damaged or destroyed by an earthquake. It is not a part of an Implementation Plan for Defense Board Recommendations.
RevCom: Project Justification Statement for Proposed Revision to DOE-STD-1187-2007, Beryllium-Associated Worker Registry Data Collection and Management Guidance
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Mar 14, 2019 03:15 PMThe proposed revision is consistent with the procedures provided in DOE O 252. IA Technical Standards Program. Specifically, DOE-TSPP-9 Technical Standards Program Topical Committees indicates that the 5 year review is due for DOE Technical Standard 1187, Beryllium-Associated Worker Registry Data Collection and Management Guidance which has not been updated since it was issued in 2007. DOE-TSPP-9 outlines the actions to be taken during periodic document review.
RevCom: Project Justification Statement for Revision to DOE-SPEC-1142-2001, Beryllium Lymphocyte Proliferation Testing (BeLPT)
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Mar 14, 2019 03:15 PMThe project will update the specification with new quality assurance measures, instrumentation, and analytic methods. For example, several reagents need to be expanded upon as to concentration, sources available and addition of ones not mentioned in DOE-cSPEC-1142-2001. The Complete Growth Media Preparations should be expanded to conform to different Laboratories methods (IX vs 2X). The List of Equipment needs clarification of requirements, since some instrumentation is outdated and newer technology is currently used. Furthermore, the analysis for outcomes of the test has been changed from Least Absolute Value to Least Squares. Therefore, the project will provide DOE with an updated specification for beryllium testing and document required changes to the testing procedure, ensuring the fidelity of testing guidance provided to the community.
RevCom: Project Justification Statement for Proposed Revision to DOE-HDBK-1163-2003, Integration of Multiple Hazard Analysis Requirements and Activities
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Mar 13, 2019 08:47 PMThe proposed handbook revision will incorporate best practices and lessons learned from performing and integrating hazard analysis at various DOE facilities since initial issuance in 2003. This revised handbook is intended to support mission success by describing best practices in hazard analysis that apply to less-than-hazard-category 3 (Less than HC-3) nuclear facilities, chemical facilities, industrial facilities, and other facilities at DOE sites across the country.
RevCom: DOE-STD-1112-YR, Department of Energy Laboratory Accreditation Program for Radiobioassy
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Mar 01, 2019 04:22 PMThis standard will be updated to include the requirements that are currently used to conduct onsite assessments of accredited programs and to reflect current practices and standards. The update aims to increase the quality of DOELAP accreditation, but should only have a minor impact on current DOELAP programs through the streamlining of DOELAP requirements. It will have a major positive impact on new DOELAP programs because it will provide clear direction on DOELAP requirements.
RevCom: Project Justification Statement for Proposed Revision to DOE-STD-1090-2011, Hoisting and Rigging
— by Patricia Greeson — last modified Feb 14, 2019 08:09 PMProposed revisions to the standard are commensurate with 29 CFR, Part 1926, 1432 -Multiple-crane/derrick lifts-supplemental requirements. Hoisting and rigging is a high-risk activity justifiably deserving of progressive guidelines that serve both organizational mission goals, as well as continuing to ensure safety of DOE Federal employees and contractors within the workplace. The revision of this standard is not part of an Implementation Plan for Defense Board Recommendations.
New: A Graded Approach for Evaluating Radiation Doses to Aquatic and Terrestrial Biota
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Feb 14, 2019 03:08 PMThis DOE technical standard provides a graded approach (including screening methods and methods for detailed analyses) and related guidance that DOE and DOE contractors may use to evaluate compliance with specified criteria on radiation dose to populations of aquatic animals, terrestrial plants, and terrestrial animals due to anthropogenic sources at DOE sites.
New: DOE-STD-1027-2018 Chg Notice 1, Hazard Categorization of DOE Nuclear Facilities
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Jan 29, 2019 10:03 PMThis Standard (STD) provides requirements and guidance for determining if a Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear facility is a Hazard Category (HC) 1, 2, 3, or Below HC-3 nuclear facility, as required by Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 830, Nuclear Safety Management.
RevCom: DOE-HDBK-XXXX-2019, Operations Security Handbook
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Jan 17, 2019 08:49 PMThis Department of Energy (DOE) Handbook provides information to assist DOE sites in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Operations Security (OPSEC) program. Specifically, it provides information on the five-step process, which includes identifying critical information, analyzing the threat, analyzing the vulnerabilities, assessing the risks, and applying countermeasures. It also includes examples of the steps and recommendations for successful application. Internal and external resources have been referenced for additional information.
RevCom: Project Justification Statement for Revision to Department of Energy Standard 3020, Specification for HEPA and ULPA Filters used by DOE Contractors
— by Diane Johnson — last modified Jan 15, 2019 07:45 PMThe revised DOE-STD-3020 will provide general requirements for DOE/NNSA contractors for the procurement and required testing of high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters as well as Ultra Low Penetration Air (ULPA) filters used in DOE/NNSA facilities. These procurements should additionally align with the latest American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) publication ASME AG-1, Code on Nuclear Air and Gas Treatment, as a primary source for purchasing and testing HEPA filters and the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology recommended practice IEST-RP-CC007.3, Testing ULPA Filters, for testing ULPA filters. The revision to the Standard will update cross references to the latest applicable DOE directives and national consensus standards.