Integrated Safety Management Integrated Safety Management is essential to ORISE's day-to-day operations

ORAU, as managing contractor, is committed to performing work safely as it operates the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. ORAU supports the U.S. Department of Energy policy of using management systems to integrate safety into work practices at all levels. 

ORAU’s definition of “safety” encompasses environment, safety and health, and also includes waste minimization and pollution prevention. All ORAU programs and departments actively pursue continuous improvement, and the addition of Integrated Safety Management (ISM) concepts further strengthens safety as a standard in ORISE’s culture. ORAU has accepted the ISM concept by contract under DOE Acquisition Regulations Clause 970.5204-2 and DOE Policy 450.4A, Integrated Safety Management Policy. 

ORAU has also adopted DOE’s guiding principles and core functions of ISM on a corporate level and in all individual program/department/field office ISM plans. ORAU managers incorporate ISM into management and work practices at all levels to ensure that safety is an integral part of day-to-day activities. 

Guiding Principles

ORAU endorses the ISM guiding principles as described by DOE and its Oak Ridge Site Office: 

Line management responsibility for safety
Line management is directly responsible for the protection of workers, the public and the environment.

Clear roles and responsibilities
Clear and unambiguous lines of authority and responsibility for ensuring safety is established and maintained at all organizational levels and for subcontractors.

Competence commensurate with responsibilities
Personnel are required to have the experience, knowledge, skills and capabilities necessary to discharge their responsibilities.

Balanced priorities
Managers must allocate resources to address safety, as well as programmatic and operational considerations. Protection of workers, the public and the environment is a priority whenever activities are planned and performed.

Identification of safety standards and requirements
Before work is performed, the associated hazards must be evaluated, and an agreed-upon set of safety standards and requirements must be established to provide adequate assurance that workers, the public and the environment are protected from adverse consequences.

Hazard controls tailored to work being performed
Administrative and engineering controls are tailored to the work being performed to prevent adverse effects and to mitigate hazards.

Operations authorization
The conditions and requirements to be satisfied before operations are initiated are clearly established and agreed upon. 

Core Functions

ORAU policies and procedures incorporate the five ISM core functions as defined by DOE: 

1. Define the scope of work
   Missions are translated into work, expectations are set, tasks are identified and prioritized and resources are allocated.
2. Analyze the hazards
   Hazards associated with the work are identified, analyzed and categorized.
3. Develop and implement hazard controls
   Applicable standards, policies, procedures and requirements are identified and agreed upon; controls to prevent/mitigate hazards are identified; and controls are implemented.
4. Perform work within controls
   Readiness is confirmed and work is performed safely.
5. Provide feedback and continuous improvement
   Information on the adequacy of controls is gathered, opportunities for improving the definition and planning of work are identified, and line and independent oversight is conducted.