Independent Assessment of Specific Administrative Controls for Nuclear Safety of Existing U.S. Department of Energy Facilities - September 2024

September 2024,

Independent Assessment of Specific Administrative Controls for Nuclear Safety of Existing U.S. Department of Energy Facilities

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Engineering and Safety Basis Assessments, within the independent Office of Enterprise Assessments (EA), assessed the identification, development, and implementation of specific administrative controls (SACs) to determine whether credited nuclear safety functions are reliably fulfilled. EA also assessed contractor and DOE line management programs for assessment and oversight of SACs. The EA assessment was conducted from fiscal year 2020 through 2023 and included 8 onsite assessments at locations supporting operations of existing DOE nuclear facilities managed by contractors of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Office of Environmental Management (EM). The specific program results for NNSA and EM can be found in appendices D and E, respectively. As part of the onsite assessment activities, EA reviewed 91 (72%) of the SACs and 61 (over half) of the administrative controls (ACs) cited in the safety bases of the selected nuclear facilities. This report identifies common strengths and weaknesses, a best practice, and recommendations to help ensure that credited safety functions are reliably fulfilled.