Defining the Work and Hazards

DOE-HDBK-1148-2002

8.1

Defining the Work and Hazards

The identification of work and associated hazards is one of the most critical elements in the

N&S Process. Proper identification requires application of the collective knowledge of DOE and

contractor personnel who have direct experience with the work, the hazards and the workplace.

Without a clear definition of the work and its associated hazards and uncertainties, a set of

standards may be insufficient to provide the desired level of protection or may contain

inappropriate standards that will waste resources. For established and on going activities, this

may only require assembling existing documentation. For new activities, this effort may involve

the development of a rigorous hazards identification process conducted in conjunction with the

formal engineering design process.

The identification of the work and the hazards actually begins with the determination that the

N&S Closure Process should be applied. DOE and contractor management identify the

scope(s) of work for Process application. As work progresses from Agreement Parties to

Convened Group to Identification Team, the definition of the work and hazards becomes

progressively more refined. The N&S Closure Process is by intent iterative in nature and this

iteration among the teams has been most evident in reaching agreement on clear definition of

the work and hazards. Teams have gone though many cycles of work design, hazards

elimination and hazards control in order to first eliminate hazards from the work place and then

agree on the residual hazards which must be controlled. Good communication among teams is

essential and the Agreement Parties must be well engaged to assure themselves that factors of

engineered design, process design, work design and other hazard controls are addressed.

8.2

Role of the Process Leader

Ensuring the accurate identification of the standards set for the scope of work and associated

hazards is one of the most important duties performed by the Process Leader. After conducting

any research and study of the subject, the Process Leader should schedule a session with the

members of the Convened Group to ensure that a good understanding of the scope of work and

the definition of the hazards has been established. The Process Leader should have resolved

any questions on this subject with key personnel such as line managers, the contracting officer,