Appendix D
Work Smart Standards Approval Process

http://www.lbl.gov/Workplace/NS-Program/

Update of David McGraw’s WSS Letter (5/28/98)

April 2, 2001

MEMORANDUM

TO: Distribution

FROM: David McGraw, Director
             Environment, Health, & Safety Division

SUBJECT: Work Smart Standards Update Process

In 1996, the Department of Energy accepted Berkeley Lab’s set of Work Smart Standards (WSS) within Appendix G of Contract 98.  The WSS set was developed through the Necessary and Sufficient process in November 1996 to assure adequate protection for Lab employees, the public and the environment. It is composed of federal, state and local laws, as well as national and international consensus standards.  Moreover, this process has also screened and omitted many DOE Orders that are not applicable to the kind of work conducted at LBNL. These standards were selected on the basis of the type of work performed as well as the hazards present at the Laboratory and serve as the agreed upon basis for operating the Lab in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Laboratory's research activities and the changes that may occur in the regulatory environment, it is necessary to ensure our WSS set remains current. Updates to our WSS set would be required if Divisions engage in work activities that are not covered by the existing set, and/or if the laws and standards comprising the set change. Ross Fisher of the EH&S Division Safety Engineering Group has been assigned the responsibility of being the LBNL WSS Coordinator for managing this effort. His responsibilities are as follows:

1. In conjunction with the DOE BSO WSS Coordinator, administers the annual WSS Review and Update Process.
   
   
2. Assigns teams of subject matter experts to review standards to identify changes in regulations that trigger updates to the WSS set.  (
   
   Note:  a “Change” is defined as a modification in a standard’s citation number, the addition or deletion of requirements within an existing standard, or the addition of an entirely new standard.
   
   
3. Assign teams of appropriate Division personnel and technical expertise to identify new work and/or changes to existing work within each Division that may impact the WSS set.
   
   
4. Analyzes the results of the team reviews, meets with appropriate Division personnel and technical experts as necessary, compiles the findings and generates the annual review report and WSS change recommendations.

The enclosed flow charts delineate the process for updating our WSS set.

An annual roll up will be provided to me in order that proposed changes may be reviewed with the appropriate parties and that necessary updates are made to the WSS set.

If you have any questions regarding the WSS update process, please contact Ross Fisher at extension 6934.

Distribution:
Sally Benson
Jeffrey Chung
Ross Fisher
Karl Olson
Robin Wendt
Division Safety Coordinators
EH&S Division Liaisons
EH&S Division Group Leaders
EH&S Division Technical Leads
Richard Nolan, Berkeley Site Office