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Integrated Safety Management

ISM is the integration of safety awareness and good practices into all aspects of work conducted at DOE. Simply stated, work should be conducted in such a manner that protects workers and other people, and does not cause harm to the environment. Safety is an integral part of each job -- not a stand-alone program.

ISM consists of 7 Guiding Principles/5 Core Functions of Integrated Safety Management:

7 Guiding Principles

  • Line Management Responsibility for Safety: Line management is directly responsible for the protection of the public, the workers, and the environment. As a complement to line management, the Department's Office of Environment, Safety and Health provides safety policy, enforcement, and independent oversight functions.  

  • Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Clear and unambiguous lines of authority and responsibility for ensuring safety shall be established and maintained at all organized levels within the Department and its contractors. 

  • Competence Commensurate with Responsibilities: Personnel shall possess the experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that are necessary to discharge their responsibilities.  

  • Balanced Priorities: Resources shall be effectively allocated to address safety, programmatic, and operational considerations. Protecting the public, the workers, and the environment shall be a priority whenever activities are planned and performed. 

  • Identification of Safety Standards and Requirements: Before work is performed, the associated hazards shall be evaluated and an agreed-upon set of safety standards and requirements shall be established which, if properly implemented, will provide adequate assurance that the public, the workers, and the environment are protected from adverse consequences. 

  • Hazard Controls Tailored to Work Being Performed: Administrative and engineering controls to prevent and mitigate hazards shall be tailored to the work being performed and associated hazards. 

  • Operations Authorization: The conditions and requirements to be satisfied for operations to be initiated and conducted shall be clearly established and agreed-upon.

5 Core Functions

  • Define the Scope of Work: Missions are translated into work, expectations are set, tasks are identified and prioritized, and resources are allocated. 

  • Analyze the Hazards: Hazards are associated with the work identified, analyzed, and categorized. 

  • Develop and Implement Hazard Controls: Applicable standards and requirements are identified and agreed-upon, controls to prevent/mitigate hazards are identified, the safety envelope is established, and controls are implemented.

  • Perform Work Within Controls: Readiness is confirmed and work is performed safely. 

  • Provide Feedback and Continuous Improvement: Feedback information on the adequacy of controls is gathered, opportunities for improving the definition and planning of work are identified and implemented, line and independent oversight is conducted, and, if necessary, regulatory enforcement actions occur.