Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Integrated Safety Management Systems Review

August 8-9, 2006

Work Planning and Authorization

John SeaburyEnvironment, Health and Safety Division

Work Planning and Authorization Processes (including hazard analysis) are covered in LBNL’s Health and Safety Manual PUB-3000, Chapter 6 “Safe Work Authorizations”

“As part of the work planning process, principal investigators, managers, and supervisors (work leaders) are required to consider what hazards,

risks, and concerns are present, and to implement appropriate controls.”

Work Planning, Hazard Analysis and Authorization

• Three levels, differentiated primarily by the extent of collaborative review– Line Management – Formal – Facility-based

Line Management

• Tasks are planned and reviewed internally within the Division, review/authorization processes are externally reviewed. • Work and hazards are known and typical

with routine precautions. “Journey” level workers are expected to be familiar with work/hazards.• Work is defined in the Division’s ISM Plan.• Review/approval process varies depending

upon the Division.

Line Management (cont)

• Research– Internal safety review documents/processes– User Facilities have very formal review/approval systems in

place– Especially important for offsite field work

• Operations and Maintenance– Planning/Review/Authorization contained within the Maximo

work planning/scheduling system• Construction by External Contractors

– Contractor must submit EH&S plan, reviewed and approved by LBNL. Contractor designates responsible Safety Supervisor. LBNL does quality assurance inspections.

Formal

• Additional work review is external to the Division but internal to LBNL.• Planning process determines that work

contains elevated or unusual hazards that require additional controls.• Work may be typical work that is higher

intensity, or it may be more inherently hazardous.• Review may be by Subject Matter Experts

or may be by peer review committee.

Formal (cont)

• Research: Radioactive materials (RWA, SSA), biological materials (BUA), reactive chemicals, high pressure or stored energy (AHD)

• Construction/O&M: High value lifts, demolition of contaminated structures/equipment, work on energized conductors/equipment– Maximo planning process may designate external

reviews• Work requiring Formal Authorizations, including

“trigger levels”, is listed in PUB-3000, Chapter 6, Appendix B

Facility- Based

• Review and approval is by agency or body external to LBNL.• The work authorized is an aggregate of

operations within a “facility” rather than upon a particular task or operation.• Planning/authorization process is dictated

by the agency granting the permit.• Authorizations are typically managed by

EH&S as an institutional function.

Facility- Based (cont)

• Examples of Facility-based Authorizations:– Air Permits (BAAQMD)– Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (Calif.

DTSC)– Wastewater Discharge (City of Berkeley)– Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan

(Regional Water Quality Control Board)

Summary

• LBNL tailors work planning and authorizations according to the work being performed.

• For routine work, the degree of formalization of the planning/authorization processes is dictated by the type and variety of work and the Division’s internal procedures.

• For increased hazard work, planning and authorization become increasingly structured.