Readiness for Confirmation is multifaceted

DOE-HDBK-1148-2002

As a part of the N&S Process OAK and LLNL Staff with similar technical qualifications

developed and demonstrated a common understanding of the work and associated

hazards. The process of selecting the standards brought together DOE OAK and LLNL

staff to understand the work, its hazards and the available standards. This common

understanding was clearly demonstrated in several internal reviews held prior to

confirmation where the reviewers could not readily determine whether the presenters

were from LLNL or DOE/OAK.

The N&S Process leads to a better understanding of requirements and expectations by

the various participants. The N&S Closure Process required participation by the

workers, as well as DOE and LLNL program managers and ES&H professionals and

required them to focus on the work and the hazards. This common focus, with its

exchange of information and experience regarding the work and the standards to

provide adequate safety resulted in a shared understanding of requirements and

expectations by all involved.

Readiness for Confirmation is multifaceted:

(a) Required N&S Process elements and the appropriate documentation should be

reviewed. The Confirmation Team expects to understand the context, including the

implementation of the N&S Closure Process, in which the standards were selected.

Careful documentation of how the Process was implemented is critical to meeting this

expectation.

(b) The Convened Group and the Standards Identification Team need to have evaluated

the feasibility of the set and be prepared to articulate this to the Confirmation Team. The

Confirmation Team is asked to confirm the adequacy and feasibility of the set of

standards. Understanding the assumptions and agreements made in determining the

adequacy of a standard together with an understanding of the LLNL management

system constitute the minimum elements necessary for the Confirmation Team to

assess feasibility of the WSS set. Although not required by the N&S Closure Process,

internal reviews in preparation for the confirmation process were very useful.

A-19