Safety and Health: Worker Safety and Health Oversight Issues Facing DOE
(Testimony, 10/21/93, GAO/T-RCED-94-54).

The Department of Energy (DOE) is involved in various activities that
could expose workers to radiation and toxic chemicals.  In 1992 alone,
15 DOE workers died during on-the-job mishaps.  During the past decade,
GAO has repeatedly called for improvements in DOE's safety and health
oversight.  Although recent DOE initiatives aimed at improving safety
and health programs are an important step, the agency needs to develop a
clear safety policy--one that clearly spells out what is expected of
contractors and their workers--if its efforts are to succeed.  Such a
policy, along with specific goals and performance measures, could help
DOE improve its safety culture and performance.  In addition, GAO
continues to believe that DOE's Office of Environment, Safety, and
Health needs adequate authority, independence, and resources to perform
vigorous independent internal oversight.  Finally, a detailed plan could
help to ensure a smooth, successful transition to oversight by the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  T-RCED-94-54
     TITLE:  Safety and Health: Worker Safety and Health Oversight 
             Issues Facing DOE
      DATE:  10/21/93
   SUBJECT:  Nuclear facility safety
             Working conditions
             Safety standards
             Occupational safety
             GOCO
             Standards evaluation
             Occupational health standards
             Federal agency reorganization
             Radiation exposure hazards
             Safety regulation

             
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