Office of Nuclear Facility Safety Programs (HS-32)

Reports to the Office of Nuclear Safety

About Us

The Office of Nuclear Facility Safety Programs establishes requirements related to safety management programs that are essential to the safety of DOE nuclear facilities. In addition, establishes requirements for facility design and operation for facility-wide hazards that are not unique to nuclear safety such as fire and natural phenomena. The Office works proactively with headquarters and field offices to foster continuous improvement and nuclear safety excellence. In addition, the Office provides high quality, customer-oriented assistance that enables improved DOE program and field implementation of nuclear safety management programs and fire protection and natural phenomena hazard control requirements.

Functions

• Develops and maintains DOE specific policy and requirements for nuclear safety management programs and for fire protection and natural phenomena hazard control. This includes DOE Nuclear Safety Policy and requirements for conduct of operations, training, and maintenance, as defined in 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 830 subpart B (and supporting guidance and standards) and DOE's Orders, guides and standards.
• Serves as the corporate assistance resource for interpretation and guidance on existing and emerging nuclear safety requirements including requirements related to nuclear safety management programs and fire protection and natural phenomena hazard control.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the implementation of nuclear safety management programs and fire protection and natural phenomena hazard control requirements in accomplishing the Department's Nuclear Safety Policy and recommends adjustments and improvements resulting from feedback from surveys, line management assessments, and independent oversight reviews.
• Reviews exemption requests from nuclear safety management programs and fire protection and natural phenomena hazard control requirements.
• Works closely with the Office of Departmental Representative to interface with the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) on nuclear safety management programs and fire protection and natural phenomena hazard control issues. Assists the Office of Departmental Representative in responding to the DNFSB on nuclear safety management programs and fire protection and natural phenomena hazard control requirements.
• Works closely with the Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG), in particular the Safety Analysis Working Group (SAWG) and Engineering Practices Working Group (EPWOG). Coordinates with the Office of Analysis to develop strategies for evaluating the effectiveness of actions to resolve crosscutting nuclear safety management programs and fire protection and natural phenomena hazard control issues.
• Interfaces with the Office of Enforcement and Oversight regarding nuclear safety management programs control related assessments and enforcement actions.
• Interfaces with national standard setting bodies such as American Nuclear Society, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on nuclear safety management programs and fire protection and natural phenomena hazard control.
• Identifies Department-wide nuclear safety management programs and fire protection and natural phenomena hazard control needs and opportunities. Leads communication and information exchange networks to identify site-specific as well as systemic assistance needs, prioritizes assistance activities, and resolves issues through direct interface with customers and stakeholders.
• Provides technical support to the Department's program offices and field elements in understanding how to implement nuclear safety management programs and fire protection and natural phenomena hazard control requirements.
• Provides assistance to the DOE Program Offices and Field Offices through participating in assessments and other line management activities when requested.
• Provides leadership and partners with other HSS offices in developing integrated strategies for evaluating cross-cutting nuclear safety issues with line management to determine the extent of issues, their causes, and actions needed to prevent recurrence.
• If requested by the Secretary, develops recommendations for the Deputy Chief for Mission Support Operations and the Chief Health, Safety and Security Officer regarding concurrence in the final decision to startup or restart a nuclear facility.
• Supports the startup and restart of nuclear facilities by observing, advising, participating in, or assessing the Operational Readiness Review (ORR) process.
• Manages and supports the Facility Representative Program and Safety System Oversight Program by developing Standards and guides, leading information exchanges (including the annual workshop), and supporting qualification and training.
• Works with the National Training Center to development training on nuclear safety management programs and fire protection and natural phenomena hazard control requirements.

Mark Blackburn, Director