Environment, Safety, and Health: Status of DOE's Reorganization of Its Safety Oversight Function : Briefing Report to the Chairman, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee, Committee on Government Operations, House of Representatives

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Page 9 - Nuclear Health and Safety: DOE's Award Fees at Rocky Flats Do Not Adequately Reflect ES&H Problems (GAO/RCED-90-47, Oct.
Page 8 - DOE's headquarters program management, its field organization, and the Office of Environment, Safety, and Health — the result of an absence of clear lines of authority and responsibility, dilution of accountability, and an absence of adequate specificity in DOE orders.
Page 2 - DOE's control that oversees the agency's internal safety program. However, we believe that the success of DOE's restructuring will likely depend on four key issues. First, success will depend on the level of commitment to environmental, safety, and health issues throughout the Department, particularly how the relationship between production and these Issues are managed.
Page 10 - Within even a large, properly structured organization, safety is a reflection of institutional commitment and capability. Leadership at the policy-making level is essential, and dedication to safety must permeate the Department of Energy,
Page 9 - ... qualified staff; and an inadequate strategic plan for addressing the problems of the complex. In fact, prior to 1985 a comprehensive focus on environmental, safety, and health issues did not exist within DOE's management structure. As early as 1985, we reported that DOE placed more emphasis on contractor performance in achieving production goals than on environmental, safety, and health matters. And, as recently as 1989, we indicated that under DOE's award fee process substantial monetary awards...
Page 7 - Office of Assistant Secretary for Environment, Safety, and Health. This newly created office was to have oversight responsibility, but the safety and health functions were not legislatively mandated.
Page 6 - Furthermore, we •-A Safety Assessment of Department of Energy Nuclear Reactors (DOE/US-0005, March 1981).
Page 7 - These appraisals and surveys are particularly important because they are intended to provide management with the necessary information for setting priorities for corrective action.

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