Application of the Graded Approach in ORR Planning - Continued

DOE-STD-3006-2000

The complexity of the activity: The size and complexity of the facility and/or process being reviewed

drives the size and complexity of the ORR. The depth of the review requires that reviewers be able

to comprehend and accomplish the criteria provided them. The number of criteria developed is based

on the size and complexity of the facility/process.

A new process or facility versus the restart of an existing activity: A significantly new process would

involve verification of training and qualification of workers and new procedures without any

significant reference points available onsite. This would drive the ORR to be more thorough and

comprehensive than the review for a process that has a significant experience base onsite.

The programmatic significance of the subsequent operations: A facility/process that is intended for

long-term programmatic operations would necessarily require a more comprehensive and thorough

review in some specific area than would a temporary operation.

Introduction of new hazards: The proposed facility evolution (startup or restart) must be evaluated

for potential new hazards. While some new hazards will be obvious, a critical review is needed to

identify subtle new hazards introduced by the startup of new facilities or modification of existing

facilities. Modifications made to improve operations in one aspect may unexpectedly introduce

hazards in a different area.

Increase in existing hazards or risk: Modifications to the facility, personnel, or procedures must be

evaluated for their potential to increase the hazard level (e.g., by increasing the inventories of

hazardous materials) or the hazard potential (e.g., by introducing a new mechanism for the release of

hazardous materials).

Operating history of the facility: The record of operational reliability, e.g., reliability during most

recent operation, may identify issues to be addressed in the proposed ORR. Additionally, the nature

of the facility/process transition to standby or shutdown status needs to be considered. A shutdown

resulting from systemic safety concerns may require greater ORR depth than would a shutdown in

response to an individual safety concern.

Confidence in site-wide issues: Even if the proposed startup or restart does not directly involve

changes to site issues (e.g., emergency preparedness, site fire response, environmental monitoring), it

Appendix 1-5