The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) is closing its recommendation to the Department of Energy (DOE) to strengthen the regulatory framework meant to protect the public and DOE defense nuclear facility workers, DNFSB Chairman Joyce Connery wrote in a Sept. 23 letter to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
DNFSB’s recommendation 2010-1, “Safety Analysis Requirements for Defining Adequate Protection for the Public and the Workers,” directed DOE to update its guidance for public and worker safety, “particularly in cases where Documented Safety Analyses (DSAs) indicate the potential for mitigated offsite consequences to exceed DOE’s Evaluation Guideline of 25 rem Total Effective Dose,” the letter said.
DOE revised key nuclear safety directives in response, the letter noted.
“These updated standards contain significantly improved requirements that clarify DOE’s expectations for ensuring adequate protection at DOE defense nuclear facilities,” Connery wrote. The letter said the only remaining action for DOE involves revising its “Integration of Safety into the Design Process” standard. The board noted that DOE’s actions will satisfy the intent of DNFSB’s recommendation.
