Safety Basis Division

In 2016, the Safety Basis Division Team completed five complex, high-impact projects crucial to the Laboratory’s mission and the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.

Nuclear safety analysis is the core function of the Safety Basis Division. This is accomplished in coordination with Facility Operations and mission programs whereby we methodically evaluate work processes, identify and analyze nuclear and high hazard accidents, and develop controls under DOE requirements. This process underpins the basis for the Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) which forms the license to operate nuclear facilities under the DOE. In addition to writing DSAs, the division performs change control to the DSAs using the Unreviewed Safety Question (USQ) process. Similar methodology is used by the Safety Basis Division for particle accelerator, chemical, explosive, biological, and radiological facilities at LANL.

Mission

Promote safe, effective and reliable operations through development, implementation, and oversight of safety basis policy, processes, and products that ensure protection of the public, LANL workers, and the environment.

Guiding Principles

• Safety of the public and LANL workers is paramount.
• Disciplined conduct of safety and criticality analysis must be applied.
• Teamwork and collaboration are required for developing a Safety Basis that can be implemented.
• Emphasis will be on the use of positive reinforcement to achieve desired result
• Open communication, trust and integrity are essential.
• Attention to detail, accountability, follow-through, and pride in our work are necessary to achieve our vision.