Maintaining the Set of Work Smart Standards cont'd

DOE-HDBK-1148-2002

changes to the WSS set as well as other site documents. Change control for the WSS set is

therefore not divorced from other site processes, but rather is an integral part of the ISMS.

Establishing fixed organizational responsibilities for change control allows change control to be

accomplished in a routine manner while preserving fidelity to the N&S Process. And finally, the

change control process should screen proposed changes on the basis of their safety

significance, so that the system does not become clogged with items of low importance. It may

be helpful to collect "minor" changes for periodic (for example, quarterly, semiannual) review by

the appropriate team(s) rather than reviewing them individually, or to provide for streamlined

processing of certain types of changes.

In summary, an effective change control process should be characterized by the following:

The change control process should be a part of the organization's Integrated Safety

Management System, as is the N&S Process.

The change control process should be implemented at an appropriate point in the N&S

Process, typically after approval of the initial WSS set.

The change control process should provide for screening of new inputs (for example,

information about new work or changed hazards) to determine the need and appropriate

mechanism for further action. Not all changes will require the same degree of attention.

Minor administrative changes to existing standards could be issued with little review,

while information about a new hazard may require more extensive review to identify

appropriate standards.

The standards bases described in the documentation of the approved WSS set should

be used as the principal configuration control reference.

When changes to the WSS set are made, the WSS documentation should be revised to

reflect the changes and the bases for those changes.