Department of Energy initiatives in operating procedures

On July 9, 1990, the US Department of Energy (DOE) issued DOE Order 5480.19, `Conduct of Operations Requirements for DOE Facilities.´ Included as chapter XVI of the guidelines accompanying this order were the first DOE guidelines for operating procedures. The order includes a statement that facility operations should be governed by procedures. The information provided in the order is high-level guidance, with little detail. The guidance defines procedures, when procedures are applicable, and describes or discusses some of the important aspects of procedure development and use. The thrust of the procedure development section is to assure consistency, full coverage of procedures, and the need for high management attention to the development and use of procedures. The order suggests that the technical basis references be developed and that initial and other prerequisite conditions should be defined prior to writing the procedure. In addition, there are discussions and guidelines about procedure change, approval, review, and the availability of procedures