February 2008

Inspection of Emergency Management at the Y-12 Site Office and Y-12 National Security Complex

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Independent Oversight inspected the emergency management program at DOE’s Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) in October-November 2007. The inspection was performed by Independent Oversight’s Office of Emergency Management Oversight (HS-63). Independent Oversight reports to the Chief, Office of Health, Safety and Security, who reports directly to the Secretary of Energy.

This 2007 inspection found that YSO and B&W Y-12 have established an emergency management program that generally protects site workers and the public, although a few program weaknesses may be negatively impacting responder preparedness. The Y-12 emergency management program exhibits numerous strengths in nearly all areas. The most significant is that YSO and B&W Y-12 have developed a comprehensive and integrated set of plans, implementing procedures, and guidance documents designed to institutionalize the processes by which the site’s emergency management program is defined, executed, and improved.

Section 2 of this report provides an overall discussion of the results of the review of the Y-12 emergency management program elements that were evaluated. Section 3 provides Independent Oversight’s conclusions regarding the overall effectiveness of YSO and contractor management of the emergency management program. Section 4 presents the ratings assigned as a result of this inspection. Appendix A provides supplemental information, including team composition. Appendix B identifies the findings that require corrective action and follow-up. Appendices C through F detail the results of the reviews of individual emergency management program elements.