DOE-DOL Activities OSHA and DOE are involved in several joint activities dealing with enforcement at DOE facilities. OSHA and DOE have discussed and conceptualized two projects that would help the agencies quantify the personnel and other resource needs associated with the transfer of enforcement responsibilities. The two agencies are also participating on an advisory committee investigating external regulation of DOE's nuclear facilities. The first project is a pilot wherein OSHA would take over enforcement at one GOCO to test the application of OSHA enforcement methods at DOE facilities. The pilot would be limited in duration and would involve a location where the OSHA Area Office has staff available to conduct enforcement activities at the site.
Several issues remain to be worked out.
This study will run approximately six months once started. DOE and OSHA are in the process of procuring a contractor to carry out this study. In addition to the two projects, DOE and OSHA are participating on the Department of Energy Advisory Committee on External Regulation, which was formed by Secretary of Energy O'Leary in January. The Committee's purpose is to develop recommendations concerning whether and how DOE's nuclear facilities should be externally regulated in all areas, including worker and public safety and health, environmental protection, and nuclear safety. The Committee's final report is due by the close of the year.