Mission

The Office of Nuclear Safety establishes nuclear safety requirements and expectations for the Department to ensure protection of workers and the public from the hazards associated with nuclear operations with all Department operations.  The Office provides assistance to field elements in implementation of policy and resolving nuclear safety, facility safety, and quality assurance (QA) issues.  The Office works proactively with headquarters and field offices to foster continuous improvement and nuclear safety excellence.Establishes and maintains nuclear safety policy, requirements, and guidance including policy and requirements relating to hazard and accident analysis, facility design and operation, and QA.

Functions

  • Establishes and maintains QA policies, requirements and guidance for the Department (for both nuclear and non-nuclear related activities) and serves as DOE's corporate resource to ensure that products and services meet or exceed the Department’s quality objectives.  The Office provides assistance to Departmental elements and contactors in the interpretation and implementation of DOE quality assurance requirements and in the resolution of QA-related issues.
  • Establishes and maintains the facility safety policies, requirements and guidance for the Department in the areas of fire protection and natural phenomena hazards that are applicable to nuclear and non-nuclear related activities.
  • Provides assistance to Departmental elements and contractors in the interpretation and implementation of DOE nuclear safety, facility safety, and QA requirements and in the resolution of nuclear safety, facility safety, and QA-related issues.
  • Maintains effective liaison with line managers and other offices within EHSS and external organizations to assist in identifying and resolving site-specific and crosscutting issues and concerns related to nuclear safety facility safety, and QA policy.
  • Leads the Departments nuclear safety research and development activities.
  • Maintains liaison with regulatory agencies and interagency and international committees with respect to nuclear safety, facility safety and QA matters.
  • If requested by the Secretary, provides recommendations to the Associate Under Secretary regarding concurrence in the final decision to startup or restart a nuclear facility.
  • Fulfills the role of Standards Executive for the Department of Energy.