Frequently Asked Questions cont'd

DOE-HDBK-1148-2002

The N&S Closure Process is a participative process which focuses on understanding the

particular work to be accomplished and the hazards associated with that work, and

subsequent identification of standards through the collective qualification of teams. The

participative, iterative process among qualified teams leads to agreement on the

appropriate not minimal set of standards that when implemented, provides

reasonable assurance of adequate protection. Also, the N&S Closure Process calls for

appropriate confirmation and specific approval of the application of the Process as well

as the set of standards. Documentation, subject to review, that justifies the standards

set is a strong additional incentive to identify the controlling standards with care.

A principal guard against minimal standards is the focus on understanding the work and

its hazards preliminary to identifying controlling standards and justifying, on the record,

that the standards are adequate. The N&S Closure Process closely joins the

understanding of the work and its hazards with knowledge of appropriate controls.

Will the documentation for WSS sets be standardized in the future?

The documentation of a WSS set is inherently tailored to the Work it addresses and the

local contract in which those standards are to be implemented. From the present

experience of more than four years there is little evidence that documentation

expectations can be standardized beyond the basic requirements stated in Process

Element 3, "Defining and Agreeing to Protocols and Documentation Requirements." The

Convened Group defines the specific requirements for this documentation and may

include additional documentation requirements to suit the specific application of the

Process.

Q10

How will the Department know what's going on?

A10

As with all aspects of its commitment to ISM, the Department is a party to the Process in

all applications requiring Department agreement on the set of standards. Specific

Department elements will be Agreement Parties and Resource Authorities, and other

DOE headquarters and field elements may participate as appropriate.

A-8