Relationship of the Facility Representative with other DOE Managers

DOE-STD-1063-97

from the Facility Representative program, carefully considered reporting

requirements should be established for each Facility Representative position,

including a Facility Representative's log. Guidance should be provided on the

content of periodic or special reports. Care should be taken to ensure that reporting

does not become an onerous task that unduly limits the management activities of the

Facility Representative. In order to facilitate a direct communications link with senior

contractor management, the Facility Representative and DOE management should

meet with senior contractor management on a periodic basis to report the results of

Facility Representative assessments. The purpose of the meeting should be to

discuss trends and systemic issues.

Representatives' relationship with DOE managers within the field element shall be

clear and defined in writing. Each facility's operation should be clearly assigned to a

Facility Representative, a Program/Line Manager, and a Secretarial Officer. The

Facility Representative should have access to the Program/Line manager to provide

information related to the assigned facilities. It is highly desirable that each Facility

Representative only be assigned facilities under a single Program/Line Manager and

Secretarial Officer. This may not be practical at multi-program facilities, or when

more than one facility is involved.

between the Facility Representative and the facility operator shall be clearly defined

and understood by both parties. Facility Representatives occupy a unique position in

the transmission of information between DOE and its contractors. Facility

Representatives should be able to communicate effectively with all levels of the

contractor organization. They should be familiar with the contractor chain of

command for facility operations. However, the Facility Representatives should not

become subverted to the contractor's interests nor simply verify compliance with

DOE requirements. Facility Representatives should represent DOE to the contractor

and ensure the contractor carries out DOE operational safety policies. In defining

the relationship between a Facility Representative and contractor, the following

points are emphasized:

The Facility Representative functions as a part of DOE line management, and

therefore should exercise authority consistent with specific program and

management guidance established by the field element.

The contractor is responsible for the safety and efficient operation of the

facility. The contractor is accountable to DOE to perform its operations in a

manner that ensures the safety and health of personnel and protection of the

environment. No Facility Representative activity or inactivity can diminish the

contractor's responsibility.

The Facility Representative is responsible for determining that the contractor

is operating the facility in a safe manner. Facility Representatives fulfill this

responsibility by assessing the contractor's performance and discussing

identified deficiencies and corrective action with contractor management.