Nuclear Explosive Safety

Draft 2/27/2006

Functional Area Goal:  Headquarters and field organizations and their contractors who conduct nuclear explosive operations with responsibility for nuclear explosive safety (NES) have implemented and maintained an effective NES program.

REQUIREMENTS:

GUIDANCE:

Performance Objective 1: Contractor Program Documentation

The site contractor has developed an up-to-date, comprehensive, documented NES program that includes associated implementing mechanisms and procedures.

Criteria:

  1. The contractor's NES program is defined per applicable contract requirements (DEAR, DOE O 452.2C).
     
  2. The contractor's comprehensive NES program includes the following requirements, where applicable (DOE O 452.2C):
  3. The contractor's NES program ensures hazards associated with NEOs are identified, mitigated, and/or controlled by providing qualified personnel to support the NES program and related activities, such as (DOE O 452.2C):
  4. The contractor training and qualification program includes all personnel who perform, manage, oversee, or directly support nuclear explosive operations (NEOs) or associated activities (DOE O 452.2C, DOE O 5480.20A).
     
  5. The contractor NES program organization, procedures, and implementing mechanisms are consistent with and integrated into the contractor's DOE-approved Integrated Safety Management System (DOE P 450.4).

Suggested lines of inquiry & review approach for this performance objective element

Performance Objective 2: Contractor Program Implementation

NES program procedures and controls have been effectively implemented to mitigate the risk of inadvertent nuclear detonation or fissile material dispersal from the pit.

Criteria:

  1. The NES program is staffed with adequate numbers of technically competent and qualified personnel that perform, manage, oversee, or directly support NEOs or associated activities. (DOE O 452.2C, DOE O 5480.20A)
     
  2. NEOs are not performed until a NESS has been conducted, a NESS report approved, and pre-start findings closed. (DOE O 452.2C)
     
  3. A verification process has been developed and implemented to ensure use of qualified personnel, operationally ready facilities, correct equipment, and current procedures. (DOE O 452.2C, DOE O 425.1C)
     
  4. Personnel in positions with access to nuclear explosives and/or Category I special nuclear material are selected, trained, and certified. Human Reliability Program requirements are met. (DOE O 5480.20A, DOE O 452.2C, 10 CFR 712)
     
  5. NEOs are conducted per approved procedures. Any proposed changes to procedures are subjected to the NEO change control process. (DOE O 5480.19, DOE O 452.2C)
     
  6. A robust contractor feedback and improvement program is in place to ensure the continued effective implementation of the NES program across the site. Assessment plans are comprehensive and assessment results indicate that the program is being effectively implemented. Identified issues are documented, tracked and resolved. Management involvement is evident within the program. (DOE O 226.1, DOE P 450.4)

Suggested lines of inquiry & review approach for this performance objective element

Performance Objective 3: DOE Line Management Oversight

DOE has defined adequate requirements to ensure that an effective NES program is developed and implemented through appropriate contract mechanism for activities associated with nuclear explosive operations. HQ and/or Field/Site Offices have assigned personnel and developed processes/procedures for the activities they must conduct in support of the contractor's NES program. HQ and/or Field/Site Offices have assigned personnel and established and implemented effective oversight processes to ensure that the contractor has implemented and is maintaining an effective NES program.

Criteria:

  1. The Field or Site Office has determined the appropriate level of resources and formal expectations for conducting effective oversight of the Contractor NES program (FRAM, DOE O 452.2C, DOE O 226.1).
     
  2. The Field or Site Office NES personnel are technically competent, trained and qualified to perform oversight of the implementation of the Contractor NES program (FRAM, DOE O 452.2C, DOE O 360.1B).
     
  3. Field or Site Office procedures for the oversight of the NES program include the following (FRAM):
    1. Operational awareness activities to ascertain that limits and controls are being followed and that process conditions have not been altered such that NES has been compromised.
    2. Periodic reviews of the contractor's performance using established NES performance measures, performance indicators, and contractor self assessments.
    3. Verification of the effective implementation of limits and controls identified by authorization basis documents.
       
  4. Field or Site Office oversight is adequate and effective (DOE O 452.2C, DOE O 226.1, DOE P 450.4).
    1. Site Office conducts performance reviews against established performance measures.
    2. Site Office maintains oversight procedures that define expectations and requirements.
    3. Site Office oversight includes assurance of identification, tracking, and satisfactory resolution of issues.
    4. Site Office oversight includes evaluation of the adequacy of the contractor feedback and improvement processes and appropriate tailoring of site office oversight.
       
  5. Implementation of oversight of the contractor NES program includes an evaluation of the effectiveness of integration and application of appropriate functions and principles of the and Contractor Integrated Safety Management System including a robust feedback and improvement process (DOE P 450.4).

Suggested lines of inquiry & review approach for this performance objective element



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