The Office of Environment, Safety and Health Assessments conducts assessments to provide critical feedback and objective information on programs and performance in protecting our workers, the public and environment from the multiple hazards present at Department sites and operations.This information provides assurance to our stakeholders and identifies areas for improvement to our leadership to support the safe performance of the Department’s mission.

Functions

  • Provides overall coordination of assessments and resources for the Offices of Nuclear Safety and Environmental Assessments, Worker Safety and Health Assessments, and Emergency Management Assessments (subordinate offices).
  • Establishes priorities for assessment activities considering input from subordinate offices, line organizations, and stakeholders.
  • Ensures the quality of products developed by subordinate offices.
  • Resolves conflicts between subordinate offices and other organizations.
  • Facilitates improvements to office processes and work practices by soliciting feedback from line organizations and other stakeholders.
  • Represents the Office of Environment, Safety and Health Evaluations in interactions with senior Department leadership, committees, and external stakeholders.
  • Ensures that self-assessments are utilized to facilitate office and subordinate office improvements.
  • Approves Office of Environment, Safety and Health Evaluations and subordinate office program and process documents.
  • Assures that the results of assessments are communicated to appropriate authorities, including DOE senior management and stakeholders such as Congress.
  • Ensures coordination with the Office of Enforcement when appraisal activities identify potential noncompliances with DOE’s nuclear safety and worker safety and health requirements enforceable under 10 CFR 851 and 10 CFR 820.
  • Assures that a broad internal and external perspective on trends in safety is maintained by providing representation in national and international professional organizations addressing environment, safety, and health and emergency management topics.
  • Evaluates the need to perform special studies to evaluate issues, adverse safety performance, or trends.
  • Ensures that annual reports for the Secretary on the overall status of nuclear safety, worker safety and health, and emergency management that identify strengths, best practices, common weaknesses and opportunities for improvement are developed.