DOE Worker Safety and Health Program Areas

Biological Safety

The DOE's Biological Safety Program provides a forum for the exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and guidance in the area of biological safety. This content is supported by the Biosurety Executive Team. The Biosurety Executive Team is a DOE-chartered group. The DOE Office of Worker Safety and Health Policy provides administrative support for this group. The group identifies biological safety-related issues of concern to the DOE and pursues solutions to issues identified.

Chemical Safety Program

Environmental Worker Wearing a Respirator

The Department of Energy's (DOE's) Chemical Safety Program provides a forum for the exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and guidance in the area of chemical management. This content is supported by the Chemical Safety Topical Committee which was formed to identify chemical safety-related issues of concern to the DOE and pursue solutions to issues identified.

Read more about Chemical Safety Program.

Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program (10 CFR 850)

Beryllium from Mendeleev's periodic table, Red and Black

The DOE established a chronic beryllium disease prevention program (CBDPP) to reduce the number of workers currently exposed to beryllium in the course of their work at DOE facilities managed by DOE or its contractors, minimize the levels of, and potential for, exposure to beryllium, and establish medical surveillance requirements to ensure early detection of the disease.

Construction Safety

Construction engineers discussion with architects at construction site or building site

The Office of Worker Safety and Health Policy (AU-11) has the responsibility for developing and maintaining construction safety requirements and guidance documents for DOE, providing representation for the Department on national consensus standards bodies addressing construction safety, and providing comments to OSHA on any proposed rulemaking activity involving construction safety.

Electrical Safety

Engineer checking the operating voltage levels of the solar panel switchgear compartment

DOE’s safety standards for its field offices or facilities involved in the use of electrical energy. This sites provides a uniform set of electrical safety guidance and information to assist DOE organizations in efforts to effect a reduction or elimination of risks associated with the use of electrical energy.

Hoisting and Rigging

Construction workers using a hoisting machine to inspect wall.

The Office of Worker Safety and Health Policy (AU-11) has the responsibility for developing and maintaining the DOE Hoisting and Rigging Standard, DOE-STD-1090, consolidating comments to national consensus standards bodies addressing hoisting and rigging, and providing comments to OSHA on any proposed rulemaking activity involving hoisting and rigging.

Laser Safety

Electrical engineer repairs CNC computer numerical control laser cutting head

The Laser Safety Program in place at DOE facilities is based on well-developed industrial practices, as outlined in ANSI Standard Z-136.1, Safe Use of Lasers which has been incorporated by reference in DOE Worker Safety and Health Order 10 CFR 851.

Nanotechnology

The Department of Energy's Nanotechnology Safety provides a forum for the exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and guidance in the area of nanotechnology safety and health management.

Occupational Radiation Protection Program (10 CFR 835)

The Muon g-2 ring sits in its detector hall amidst electronics racks, the muon beamline, and other equipment.

Image courtesy of Fermilab

The occupational radiation protection program is governed by the Rule, specified as 10 CFR 835. The requirements given in 10 CFR 835 are matters of law, punishable by civil and criminal penalties. Elements include assessing external and internal doses, workplace monitoring, radiological equipment, and radiation dose reporting. Doses are required to be ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) and must not exceed the limits given in 10 CFR 835.

Respiratory Protection Program

Worker Safety and Health Policy coordinates the DOE field responses to national and regulatory issues in respiratory protection and protective clothing. Key topics addressed in the documents included on this website address: Federal regulations and related documents, lessons learned, frequently asked questions, respiratory protection program administrators for each field site, and related links.

Read more about Respiratory Protection Program.

Worker Safety and Health Program (10 CFR 851/DOE O 440.1B)

Male researcher carrying out scientific research in a lab

The DOE Safety and Health Program supports line management and contractors through the development and dissemination of policy, guidance, and technical expertise to assistance in implementation of the policies. These programs and resources assist in recognizing and responding to safety and health concerns, focus on value-added activities, and conserve Departmental resources.

Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites (10 CFR 707

A note book with black ink pen written SUBTANCE ABUSE word

The Office of Worker Safety and Health Policy (AU-11) is the Office of Primary Interest for the Contractor Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites (10 CFR 707). The rule establishes policies, criteria, and procedures for developing and implementing programs to maintain a workplace free from the use of illegal drugs.