Nuclear Health and Safety

Better Earthquake Protection Needed at DOE's Savannah River Site Gao ID: RCED-90-24 December 26, 1989

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the Department of Energy's (DOE) ability to ensure employee and public safety in the event of a major earthquake at its Savannah River site.

GAO found that: (1) DOE found many serious seismic weaknesses in the site's reactors, which were built before seismic engineering standards existed; (2) some safety-related systems, equipment, and structures did not meet current seismic engineering standards, since DOE did not have a comprehensive seismic safety program; (3) the Office of Environment, Health and Safety's (ES&H) involvement in operational planning and reactor start-up impaired its independent oversight role; and (4) although DOE has issued guidance indicating a shift in nuclear safety oversight functions, it may not be able to fully implement the guidance due to lack of resources.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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