Guidance

ARM Safety Protocols

 

The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility safety protocols state that all activities for which the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility has primary responsibility will be conducted in such a manner that all reasonable precautions are taken to protect the health and safety of employees and the general public. All reasonable steps will be taken to minimize dangers from all hazards to life, property, and the environment.

ARM has implemented a safety management system that applies to work practices at all levels. The intent of ARM is to follow the Seven Guiding Principles and Five Core Functions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Integrated Safety Management system for all work activities.

Five Core Functions

  • Define the Scope of Work

    Missions are translated into work, expectations are set, tasks are identified and prioritized, and resources are allocated.

  • Analyze the Hazards

    Hazards are associated with the work identified, analyzed, and categorized.

  • Develop and Implement Hazard Controls

    Applicable standards and requirements are identified and agreed upon, controls to prevent/mitigate hazards are identified, the safety envelope is established, and controls are implemented.

  • Perform Work Within Controls

    Readiness is confirmed and work is performed safely.

  • Identification of Safety Standards and Requirements

    Before work is performed, the associated hazards shall be evaluated and an agreed-upon set of safety standards and requirements shall be established which, if properly implemented, will provide adequate assurance that the public, the workers, and the environment are protected from adverse consequences.

Seven Guiding Principles

  • Line Management Responsibility for Safety

    Line management is directly responsible for the protection of the public, the workers, and the environment. As a complement to line management, the Department’s Office of Environment, Safety and Health provides safety policy, enforcement, and independent oversight functions.

  • Clear Roles and Responsibilities

    Clear and unambiguous lines of authority and responsibility for ensuring safety shall be established and maintained at all organized levels within the Department and its contractors.

  • Competence Commensurate with Responsibilities

    Personnel shall possess the experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that are necessary to discharge their responsibilities.

  • Balanced Priorities

    Resources shall be effectively allocated to address safety, programmatic, and operational considerations. Protecting the public, the workers, and the environment shall be a priority whenever activities are planned and performed.

  • Identification of Safety Standards and Requirements

    Before work is performed, the associated hazards shall be evaluated and an agreed-upon set of safety standards and requirements shall be established which, if properly implemented, will provide adequate assurance that the public, the workers, and the environment are protected from adverse consequences.

  • Hazard Controls Tailored to Work Being Performed

    Administrative and engineering controls to prevent and mitigate hazards shall be tailored to the work being performed and associated hazards.

  • Operations Authorization

    The conditions and requirements to be satisfied for operations to be initiated and conducted shall be clearly established and agreed-upon.