Nuclear Health and Safety
Safety and Health Oversight at DOE Defense Nuclear Facilities Gao ID: T-RCED-94-138 March 1, 1994The Energy Department's (DOE) history contains many examples in which safety, health, and environmental concerns have taken a backseat to weapons production. DOE officials acknowledge that this has occurred in the past. Since the late 1980s, DOE has tried to strengthen its internal oversight, and in 1988 Congress created the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board to provide outside independent oversight. These changes have improved safety and health operations at DOE. Even so, GAO believes it is appropriate to assess the effectiveness of these controls and work to provide greater assurances that health and safety are not compromised.