Criticality safety documented process controls

The three steps of the criticality safety evaluation—contingency analysis, limit determination, and control specification—are presented in a document generally referred to as a Nuclear Criticality Safety Evaluation (NCSE) (although some sites separate out the first step into a separate document referred to as a Nuclear Criticality Safety Assessment (NCSA)). Within a given organization or processing site, the structure and format of NCSA/NCSEs are usually strictly proscribed for consistency of development and ease of use. 

DOE Order 5480.19, Conduct of Operations (COO) (DOE 1990), requires that the line organization responsible for operations at nuclear facilities have an Organization and Administration document that clearly describes job responsibilities, resources, and support infrastructure. The COO order also requires written procedures for critical operations, configuration control for the facility safety equipment, and formal processes for inspection of equipment, operations, and procedure improvement. The order further specifies that records of operations and maintenance be made and maintained and that managers assess operations and identify problems and correct them in a timely manner. 

Experience with Process Safety Management (PSM) systems has shown that the use of a program manual— in this case a SEMS Manual—can help management keep control of the program. This document, which would be part of the Recordkeeping requirement of SEMS, would show where all critical information is located. It would also serve as a structure for carrying out audits. 

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