Communication Equipment

DOE-STD-1045-93

situations, the documentation can help persons on the scene of an occurrence

determine what type of assistance they may expect and when it should arrive.

All notifications made in accordance with DOE Order 232.1A require formal

documentation in a notification report. Facility procedures should establish a

format, such as the notification report format, for documenting notifications at

all levels. Facilities should consider the use of fill-in-the-blank forms to

document notifications for different types of situations. These forms can serve

as a checklist for personnel on the scene of an occurrence, helping ensure that

all notifications are made as required.

4.1.3

Communication Equipment

Facilities should ensure that adequate communication equipment is accessible

to meet notification requirements. They should evaluate their potential for

public endangerment or harm to the environment, and determine what alternate

methods of notification are needed in the event of primary communications

equipment failure. High-risk facilities commonly use dedicated phone lines or

data links as the primary method for emergency notifications, backed up by

ordinary phone lines, radio networks, and other methods. Low-risk facilities

may be adequately served by ordinary phone lines, supplemented by paging

devices if notifications may be required for off-shift or roving personnel.

Emergency communication systems for informing on-site personnel of hazards

or conditions requiring their immediate attention are addressed in DOE Order

5480.19, Chapter IV, "Communications," and in DOE-STD-1031-92, Guide to

Good Practices for Communications.

4.2 Investigation of Abnormal Events

Facilities should establish specific guidelines for investigations of abnormal events. The

guidelines should help personnel determine when investigation is required, who is

responsible for the investigation, how the investigation is to be conducted, and what

documentation is required. The guidelines should emphasize that the purpose of

investigations is to improve operations.