Office of Worker Safety and Health Policy
(Reports to the Office of Health and Safety)

Mission and Functions

Mission
The Office of Worker Safety and Health Policy establishes Departmental expectations for worker safety and health through the development of rules, directives and guidance. Worker safety and health policy will ensure that workers are adequately protected from hazards associated with DOE sites and operations and reflect national worker safety and health laws, regulations and standards where applicable.

Functions

• Develops, publishes, and maintains Departmental rules, directives, technical standards, and guidance relating to the safety and health of workers by addressing DOE workplace hazards.
• Develops, maintains, and publishes Department policy and directives relating to Integrated Safety Management and Chemical Management.
• Consults with line management to provide appropriate guidance for the implementation of directives and standards and provide technical positions on Departmental worker safety and health directives and standards.
• Works with the Office of General Counsel to provide technical advice on interpretations of worker safety regulations.
• Coordinates the development of HSS recommendations for variances or exemption requests to worker safety and health program requirements in accordance with 10 CFR 851 and 10 CFR 835.
• Provides responses to and maintains the Departmental Worker Safety and Health Standards Response Line.
• Develops recommendations for the Chief Health, Safety and Security Officer regarding approval of requests for planned special exposures in accordance with 10 CFR 835.204.
• Develops recommendations for the Chief Health, Safety and Security Officer regarding approval of alternative individual dosimetry monitoring in accordance with 10 CFR 835.402.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of policies and requirements in accomplishing the Department's goals and makes adjustments and improvements based on feedback from line management and independent oversight.
• Assists the National Training Center in the development of training related to worker safety and health requirements and standards.
• Interacts with internal and external entities, to maintain cognizance of best available information and technologies and facilitate adjustments to requirements and expectations as appropriate.
• Reviews Federal Agency (i.e., OSHA, NIOSH, EPA, etc.) regulations and policies and determines their impact on existing DOE Worker Safety and Health policies, directives and regulations.
• Creates and disseminates safety and health information to allow workers to better understand and manage their exposure to hazardous materials in DOE.