Safety, Security, & Quality Assurance | Department of Energy
Source: https://www.energy.gov/em/safety-security-quality-assurance
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:00
Safety, Security, & Quality Assurance | Department of Energy
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Safety, Security, & Quality Assurance
Hanford Patrol officers move through training areas during an emergency response exercise on the Hanford Site.
Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance
The Office of Environmental Management (EM) provides leadership in the areas of safety, security, and quality assurance and develops strategies, policy and guidance in support of EM’s mission across the complex. EM also serves as the Central Technical Authority (CTA), providing independent analysis and advice to EM headquarters field offices on nuclear facility safety. The CTA also has the overriding responsibility to support field offices by enabling the effective execution of the mission. Other key responsibilities and services include representing EM in interfaces with the
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
,overseeing the startup and restart of nuclear facilities and operational readiness reviews, and oversite of all Integrated Safety Management (ISM) and Integrated Safeguards and Security Management (ISSM) activities. EM also oversees field site implementation of the EM headquarters Corporate Quality Assurance Plan.
Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth employees gather to form the shape of the number 10. The deactivation and demolition contractor recently celebrated 10 million safe work hours without a lost-time accident at the Portsmouth Site.
Field Office Oversite/Chief of Nuclear Safety
The Chief of Nuclear Safety (CNS) provides leadership for field operations oversight and implementation of nuclear safety requirements to support EM’s mission. The CNS is responsible for strengthening federal oversight, monitoring nuclear projects and operations, applying lessons learned and promoting best practices, carrying out CTA activities affecting nuclear safety at EM sites and managing differing professional opinions. EM also supports operational safety performance across the EM complex, helping ensure timely correction of deficient safety conditions, assists with safety innovations and practices and verifying the effectiveness of corrective actions.
Newport News Nuclear BWXT-Los Alamos LLC (N3B) President and General Manager Brad Smith, front left, speaks to Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board tour participants in front of Dome 232 at Technical Area 54, Area G.
Security and Emergency Preparedness
EM has the overriding responsibility to support field offices by enabling the effective execution of the mission and implements policy related to physical and information security; classification; and emergency management. This oversite supports continuous improvement across the EM complex through application of Integrated Safeguards and Security Management (ISSM) principles. EM also serves as a liaison on physical security and
emergency management
issues to ensure readiness and resilience when incidents occur.
Safety News
'We Must Look Out for One Another': Idaho Team Responds to Co-worker's Emergency
March 31, 2026
Savannah River Site Joins Forces With Forest Service to Protect Legacy Waste Sites
March 31, 2026
Idaho, Los Alamos Collaborate to Advance Safe, Efficient Waste Disposal
March 24, 2026
SRS Innovates Radiation Protection Training With New Immersive Facility
March 24, 2026
View More
Skip to main content
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock
(
) or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Safety, Security, & Quality Assurance
Hanford Patrol officers move through training areas during an emergency response exercise on the Hanford Site.
Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance
The Office of Environmental Management (EM) provides leadership in the areas of safety, security, and quality assurance and develops strategies, policy and guidance in support of EM’s mission across the complex. EM also serves as the Central Technical Authority (CTA), providing independent analysis and advice to EM headquarters field offices on nuclear facility safety. The CTA also has the overriding responsibility to support field offices by enabling the effective execution of the mission. Other key responsibilities and services include representing EM in interfaces with the
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
,overseeing the startup and restart of nuclear facilities and operational readiness reviews, and oversite of all Integrated Safety Management (ISM) and Integrated Safeguards and Security Management (ISSM) activities. EM also oversees field site implementation of the EM headquarters Corporate Quality Assurance Plan.
Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth employees gather to form the shape of the number 10. The deactivation and demolition contractor recently celebrated 10 million safe work hours without a lost-time accident at the Portsmouth Site.
Field Office Oversite/Chief of Nuclear Safety
The Chief of Nuclear Safety (CNS) provides leadership for field operations oversight and implementation of nuclear safety requirements to support EM’s mission. The CNS is responsible for strengthening federal oversight, monitoring nuclear projects and operations, applying lessons learned and promoting best practices, carrying out CTA activities affecting nuclear safety at EM sites and managing differing professional opinions. EM also supports operational safety performance across the EM complex, helping ensure timely correction of deficient safety conditions, assists with safety innovations and practices and verifying the effectiveness of corrective actions.
Newport News Nuclear BWXT-Los Alamos LLC (N3B) President and General Manager Brad Smith, front left, speaks to Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board tour participants in front of Dome 232 at Technical Area 54, Area G.
Security and Emergency Preparedness
EM has the overriding responsibility to support field offices by enabling the effective execution of the mission and implements policy related to physical and information security; classification; and emergency management. This oversite supports continuous improvement across the EM complex through application of Integrated Safeguards and Security Management (ISSM) principles. EM also serves as a liaison on physical security and
emergency management
issues to ensure readiness and resilience when incidents occur.
Safety News
'We Must Look Out for One Another': Idaho Team Responds to Co-worker's Emergency
March 31, 2026
Savannah River Site Joins Forces With Forest Service to Protect Legacy Waste Sites
March 31, 2026
Idaho, Los Alamos Collaborate to Advance Safe, Efficient Waste Disposal
March 24, 2026
SRS Innovates Radiation Protection Training With New Immersive Facility
March 24, 2026
View More