Achieving Readiness

DOE Standard 3006-2010, Section 6, states:

The responsibility for achieving a state of readiness to safely conduct nuclear operations resides solely with the line management of the facility or programmatic line management. The Core Requirements (CRs) described in DOE O 425.1D provide a summary of the critical issues that should be considered in preparation for operations. In general terms, readiness applies to the areas of personnel (e.g., training, proficiency, numbers), equipment (e.g., safety and process systems), and safety management programs (e.g., safety basis implementation, operational formality, maintenance, ISM, and quality).

For complex projects, it is useful for the project to formally map the CRs to specific actions that are intended to meet the CRs. Required actions can then be scheduled as part of the project plan so that an integrated plan exists to achieve readiness as the project nears completion.

DOE O 425.1D provides requirements for specific prerequisite actions to take to improve the likelihood of a successful startup or restart. Establishing these prerequisites and verifying their completion guide the process of achieving readiness as well as contribute greatly to its success. A critical success factor is the rigor with which line management determines that the prerequisites have been met and readiness has been achieved. A robust line readiness verification or MSA program that is part of or in addition to the site Quality Assurance (QA) Management Assessment requirements may be a key element in the ability to determine that readiness has been achieved.

Achieving readiness to start nuclear operations is not specifically within the scope of DOE O 425.1D and this Standard. Rather, the purpose is to verify that readiness has been achieved to start nuclear operations. However, experience has shown that unless the contractor clearly understands the important elements of planning and achieving readiness, the contractor's Readiness Reviews may not be successful. It is therefore important to discuss the important elements of a process for planning and achieving readiness in this Standard. When the process is understood and followed, the probability of a successful and timely RR is increased.

For further information or comments on the Readiness Review web site, please contact James Heffner, HSS Office of Nuclear Facility Safety Programs.