Assessing Notifications.

DOE-EM-STD-5505-96

information in the course of the investigation and consider multiple causes?

Indications of investigator bias as a result of preconceived ideas about what the investigation

results should be.

The event history. Was a complete and accurate event history constructed as part of the

investigation?

By reviewing the items listed above, an accurate picture of the capability of one investigator can

be drawn. This, however, may or may not be representative of the site. To get a better picture of

the program as a whole, a second report done by a different investigator should be reviewed to

determine if there is consistency in the overall site or activity program. This type of review can be

time consuming, therefore, assessors may want to pursue only a few aspects of this review in

detail.

6.7 Assessing Notifications.

6.7.1 Discussion. Notifying DOE personnel following certain events or conditions helps

ensure the safety and efficiency of DOE facilities. Timely notification of appropriate DOE

personnel and other agencies, when required, is employed to ensure that the facility is responsive

to public health and safety concerns.

For events that require notification of DOE personnel (and when appropriate, state and local

officials), it is essential that information be gathered and transferred in a systematic, controlled

method. Procedures that define responsibilities and provide for adequate documentation are used

to control the process and ensure that the notification procedure is effective.

Following notification, the DOE can trend and analyze the reported conditions in an effort to

focus needed resources or direction. Additionally, central analysis allows for the dissemination

of lessons learned to other facilities where similar potential exists for occurrence of such events.