HSS Safety Cartoon

"Back-to-School Tips for Drivers"

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"Back-to-School Tips for Parents"

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Bethesda, Maryland, SEPTEMBER 19-20, 2012

DOE is holding a second Nuclear Safety Workshop covering results of the Department's actions to improve its posture for analyzing and responding to severe accidents in light of lessons learned from the March 2011 nuclear accident in Japan.

The theme for the 2012 workshop is Post Fukushima Initiatives and Results and includes presentations and discussions on beyond design basis events, risk analysis and management, and safety culture.

Join us beginning the morning of September 19 for keynote speakers Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman; Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner William Ostendorff; International Atomic Energy Agency Head of Operational Safety Miroslav Lipar; Chief Health, Safety and Security Officer Glenn Podonsky; Dr. Sonja Haber of Human Performance Analysis Corporation; and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.

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Availability of Department of Energy Operating Experience Level 3 document, Safety Concern: Occurrences of Crushing Injuries to Operators of Industrial Equipment

The Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS) has issued the Operating Experience Level 3 (OE-3) document, Safety Concern: Occurrences of Crushing Injuries to Operators of Industrial Equipment (OE-3: 2012-05).

This document provides information about a safety concern related to the dangers of crushing injuries faced by workers who operate various types of equipment, including electric carts, skid-steers, and lift equipment. The OE-3 raises awareness on the importance of safe work and provides recommendations for the safe operation of industrial equipment.

This OE-3 document is being issued as part of the Department's Corporate Operating Experience Program to facilitate the sharing of lessons learned from operating experience and the prevention of adverse operating incidents.

To access all OE documents, please go to: OE Level 1-3 documents.

To access all OE summaries, please go to: OE summaries.

HSS Supports Feds Feeds Families

Employees of the Office of Health, Safety and Security delivered more than 1,600 pounds of food for the Feds Feeds Families campaign to the Germantown offices on August 30, 2012 (see photo above).

This is in addition to 1,850 pounds delivered earlier in August, nearly 700 pounds collected at that National Training Center, and individual donations delivered by HSS employees throughout July and August.

All together, HSS collected well over 5,000 pounds of food to be distributed to the needy in our local communities. Special thanks to HSS employee Steve Domotor who served as the Department of Energy's Feds Feed Families Champion for 2012, working along with the Deputy Secretary to organize the Department-wide effort.

2012 National Day of Remembrance

This year marks the fourth consecutive year the United States Senate has unanimously approved a resolution dedicating October 30 as the National Day of Remembrance for former nuclear weapons program workers, including uranium miners, millers, and haulers. This day, which was first celebrated on October 30, 2009, honors the hundreds of thousands of American workers that have served this Nation in building its nuclear defense and contributing to its security from World War II through the Cold War.

In 2009, to mark the inaugural event, many DOE sites held public events involving local community service organizations, worker unions, Cold War veteran organizations, and local, state, and national governmental dignitaries. This year, there will again be events around the country to celebrate the day. The DOE Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS) encourages the men and women of the United States to attend and participate in these events to show support for these tremendous individuals whose sacrifice helped the United States win the cold war.

This is a valuable opportunity to recognize our former workers, as well as the current DOE workforce, who serve our country by maintaining the national security and advancing our nation in the areas of science and technology. We are looking forward to October 30th and we plan to post more details about various events and ceremonies throughout the country as the day gets closer.

DOE Issues Report on NSI Fundamental Classification Guidance Review

In 2009, Executive Order (E.O.) 13526, Classified National Security Information, required agencies to complete a Fundamental Classification Guidance Review in order to provide a more transparent and open Government. Given the scope of the task, the E.O. gave agencies over 2 years to complete the review. The Office of Classification just completed this comprehensive review.

The Office of Classification evaluated 67 Headquarters (HQ) classification guides and 11 HQ classification bulletins to identify over 2,800 topics that identify National Security Information (NSI). Thirty-six subject area working groups examined the NSI topics, using almost 200 subject matter experts. The resulting unclassified report provides as much information as possible about how classification functions at DOE.

The report also provides a detailed explanation of how the Office of Classification evaluated the information and the reasons why certain information still needs to be protected. This transparency will provide the public with a better understanding of the DOE classification program.

In addition, the report summarizes over 100 recommendations that can improve the efficiency of the classification system. HS-60 identified information that could be declassified, and many areas where classification guidance could be consolidated, eliminated, or clarified.

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Heat Stress and Heat Strain can be Dangerous! Be aware of things you should know and do to avoid the Hazards associated with working during temperature extremes.

Every year, thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat, and some even die. These illnesses and deaths are preventable.

Who is affected? Workers exposed to hot and humid conditions are at risk of heat illness, especially those doing heavy work tasks or using bulky protective clothing and equipment. Some workers might be at greater risk than others if they have not built up a tolerance to hot conditions.

What is heat illness? The body normally cools itself by sweating. During hot weather, especially with high humidity, sweating isn't enough. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels if precautions are not taken. Heat illnesses range from heat rash and heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke can result in death and requires immediate medical attention.

How can heat illness be prevented? Remember three simple words: water, rest, shade. Drinking water often, taking breaks, and limiting time in the heat can help prevent heat illness. Employers should include these prevention steps in worksite training and plans. Plan for an emergency and know what to do — acting quickly can save lives!

To access OSHA's information on Preventing Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers, you can click on the OSHA logo above or click here.

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS) independent oversight program is conducting a safety culture evaluation of four design/build projects for new nuclear facilities at four sites. Building on the HSS safety culture review at the Hanford Site Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) in 2011, HSS will identify positive observations, areas in need of attention, conclusions, and recommendations for safety culture improvement. This effort will continue through October 2012, and a follow-up review will be conducted at WTP in 2013.

HSS was tasked to perform these evaluations in response to Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) Recommendation 2011-1, Safety Culture at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant, which indicated a chilled atmosphere adverse to safety at WTP and management suppression of technical dissent. The DNFSB recommended that DOE perform an extent-of-condition review to determine whether these safety culture weaknesses were limited to WTP, or whether they were evident at other DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) sites or facilities.

Using validated methods for evaluating safety culture, HSS formed project review teams that include safety culture experts experienced in using the methodology. Five different methods are employed to collect and analyze information about the organizational behaviors that are associated with industry-accepted safety culture traits. The scope of the reviews includes both Federal and contractor organizations.

Read more about HSS Independent Oversight Evaluates the Extent of Safety Culture Concerns in the June 2012 issue of The HSS Message.