Department of Energy: Observations on Using External Agencies to Regulate Nuclear and Worker Safety in DOE's Science Laboratories
Abstract
Unlike other government and private industrial facilities in the United States, virtually all of the Department of Energy's (DOE) vast complex of research and nuclear facilities is not inspected or licensed by an independent external regulator, such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), to help ensure safe operations. Instead, DOE and its predecessors' have, since 1946, been granted legislative authority to self- regulate nuclear and worker safety in the department's facilities. We have long criticized DOE for weaknesses in its self-regulation of the environment, safety, and health (ES&H) at its own facilities. DOE recognized the need for external safety regulation in 1993, when Secretary Hazel O'Leary announced that the department would seek external regulation for worker safety. In 1994, legislation was proposed and hearings held on externally regulating nuclear safety at DOE facilities. Although no legislation was enacted, DOE responded by creating advisory groups to help formulate its policies and implement plans to eliminate self-regulation of nuclear and worker safety in all of its facilities. To achieve this goal, in 1996 DOE endorsed recommendations to phase out its self- regulation practices over a 10-year period. In late 1997, however, DOE took a more cautious approach when Secretary Federico Pena embarked on a 2-year pilot program to simulate regulation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at selected facilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 26, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA403582
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office