Department of Energy Annual 2011 Occupational Radiation Exposure Report, December 2012
Department of Energy Annual 2011 Occupational Radiation Exposure Report, December 2012, summarizes and analyzes occupational radiation exposures received by individuals associated with DOE activities. The Report provides an overview of DOE-wide performance regarding compliance with Federal occupational radiation protection dose limits and "as low as reasonably achievable" process requirements and the status of radiation exposures of the DOE workforce.
The Report and associated Appendices, and reports from previous years are accessible from the Department's Radiation Exposure Monitoring System - Annual Reports web page http://www.hss.doe.gov/SESA/Analysis/rems/index.htm.
Alert - Increasing Seasonal Flu
This year, the 2012 flu season arrived early, catching many by surprise. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), those sick with the virus can start passing it to others on day one of contamination, and continue spreading it for the next seven days.
Click on the image below to view a larger version of the graphic on the Center for Disease Control - Seasonal Influenza site.
The influenza virus can spread by coughing, sneezing or simply touching objects with the virus on it. This video from the CDC describes symptoms associated with flu illness.
How to Know if You Have the Flu: Flu Symptoms http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/video/flu-symptoms.htm
Seasonal Influenza
To learn more about influenza please visit:
Availability of Department of Energy Operating Experience Level 3 document, Importance of Conduct of Operations and Training for Effective Criticality Safety Programs
The Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS) has issued the Operating Experience Level 3 (OE-3) Document, Importance of Conduct of Operations and Training for Effective Criticality Safety Programs (OE-3: 2012-07).
This document provides information on criticality safety concerns manifested through deficiencies in associated training and conduct of operations. The OE-3 raises awareness on the importance of management and worker vigilance, proper training of workers, and strict adherence to procedures associated with criticality safety programs.
This OE-3 document is being issued as part of the Department's Corporate Operating Experience Program to facilitate the sharing of lessons learned from operating experience and the prevention of adverse operating incidents.
To access all OE documents, please go to: OE Level 1-3 documents.
To access all OE summaries, please go to: OE summaries.
2012 National Day of Remembrance
On July 16, the United States Senate passed S. Res. 519 designating October 30, 2012 as a national day of remembrance for nuclear weapons program workers. This marks the fourth year in a row that the Congress has chosen to recognize the dedication and accomplishment of these workers. This year, HSS partnered with the Cold War Patriots (CWP) and the National Atomic Testing Museum (NATM) to sponsor an event at the NATM in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 26th, 2012. Speakers at the event included US Senator Harry Reid, Glenn Podonsky, the DOE Chief Health, Safety and Security Officer, Troy Wade, Chairman of the NATM, and Kevin Fitzgerald of Cold War Patriots.
After the ceremony, the Cold War Patriots quilt, with over 1000 squares with the names of former nuclear and uranium workers was formally unveiled.
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On September 19-20, HSS led the Department of Energy's Nuclear Safety Workshop at the Bethesda North Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, MD.
Over 200 senior managers and nuclear safety specialists from DOE and other government, industry, and academic organizations involved in regulating, performing, or analyzing nuclear operations attended in person, and over 60 more attended via interactive Webcast.
Speakers included the Deputy Secretary of Energy, two Commissioners from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a member of the Chemical Safety Board, and senior managers from the Tokyo Electric Power Company, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations.
The workshop featured breakout sessions on safety culture, risk assessment and management, and beyond design-basis events analysis and response.
HSS is developing a report based on the workshop results and recommended action items to enhance nuclear safety.
More information is available at http://www.hss.doe.gov/nuclearsafety/nsworkshop2012/.
Early Detection Saves Lives
Former Department of Energy (DOE) workers tell how medical screening helped them lead healthier and longer lives.
The Worker Health Protection Program (WHPP) is the DOE's Former Worker Medical Screening Program at 13 DOE sites.
WHPP provides free medical evaluations for selected occupational diseases every three years to eligible former DOE workers under a national medical protocol established by the DOE. WHPP is funded by the DOE and is operated by a consortium of the City University of New York, the United Steelworkers, and the Atomic Trades & Labor Council in association with clinical facilities in communities near DOE sites.
The sites covered under WHPP include the K-25 Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Idaho National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Nevada National Security Site, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, CA, and the former Mound and Fernald sites.
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Welcome to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS) public website. The Office of Health, Safety and Security was created to bring the vital DOE corporate functions of health, safety, environment, and security together under one office. ...read more
ORNL Kubota RTV Safety Video
Beryllium Worker Safety 
Interactive Guide to Working Safely with Beryllium (Provided courtesy of Brush Wellman Inc.)
Need-to-Know Training Video
Tourlock 180+90 Security Revolving Door
