BRIEF

Summary

The Environment, Health, and Safety(EHS) Division is chartered with the mission of helping Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) achieve its commitment to perform all work safely and in a manner that strives for the highest degree of protection for employees, participating affiliates, visitors, subcontractors, the public, and the environment.
In carrying out its charter, EHS is committed to six basic objectives:

1. Provide employees with a safe workplace.
2. Design and operate facilities and research activities to minimize adverse impact on public health and on the environment.
3. Produce and use only materials that can be disposed of safely and that will minimize waste.
4. Promptly communicate to affected persons the known hazards of activities and the related methods necessary for safety and health protection.
5. Use available technology, engineered safeguards, and responsible science to mitigate all significant risks arising from research and related activities.
6. Train and develop staff to meet the commitments to a safe workplace with minimal adverse impact on public health and on the environment.

Who Should Read This Charter

All employees and non-employees at the Laboratory

Contact Information

Division Office
EHS Division

CHARTER

A. Mission and Objectives

The Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Division is chartered with the mission of helping Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) achieve its commitment to perform all work safely and in a manner that strives for the highest degree of protection for employees, participating affiliates, visitors, subcontractors, the public, and the environment.
In carrying out its charter, EHS is committed to six basic objectives:

1. Provide employees with a safe workplace.
2. Design and operate facilities and research activities to minimize adverse impact on public health and on the environment.
3. Produce and use only materials that can be disposed of safely and that will minimize waste.
4. Promptly communicate to affected persons the known hazards of activities and the related methods necessary for safety and health protection.
5. Use available technology, engineered safeguards, and responsible science to mitigate all significant risks arising from research and related activities.
6. Train and develop staff to meet the commitments to a safe workplace with minimal adverse impact on public health and on the environment.

Berkeley Lab has adopted the seven principles and five functional practices of the Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS), as prescribed in Department of Energy DEAR Clause 970.5204-2 (see the ISM Overview tab of the ES&H Core Policy in this Requirements and Policies Manual).
EHS strives to keep the Berkeley Lab community and environment safe and secure as the frontiers of science are explored. The Division partners with scientists and stakeholders to maintain a high level of safety consciousness and performance by providing cost-effective advice, processes, and tools.
EHS supports and acts as a partner with line management as the Division meets direct responsibilities to ensure that protection of workers, the public, and the environment is integrated into the primary research and support functions of each Laboratory division or unit.
Of equal importance, EHS supports and provides expertise directly to each Laboratory worker who seeks Environment, Safety & Health (ES&H) advice and help, or who voices a concern.

B. Organization and Administrative Responsibilities and Authority

The EHS Division is organized into three functional units:

• Technical Program Management
• EHS Operations
• EHS Assurance and Risk Management Group

The Technical Program Management unit consists of the Health and Safety Department and the Environment, Waste, and Radiation Protection Department; both report to the EHS Technical Deputy Division Director. The Health and Safety Department is composed of three entities: Operations Support Team, Research Support Team, and the Health Services Group. Environment, Waste, and Radiation Protection has three central functions: Environmental Services, Radiation Protection, and Waste Management.
EHS Operations report to the EHS Operations Deputy Division Director and includes Business Analysis/Project Management, EHS Administration, EHS Finance, and EHS Human Resources.
The EHS Assurance and Risk Management Group (which includes EHS Training) reports directly to the EHS Division Director.
Group leaders must manage their organizations, and are responsible for planning, staffing, and budgeting, as well as developing and implementing Laboratory policies and procedures in their functional areas. The EHS Division Director, deputy division directors, and department heads represent the EHS Division when communicating with internal and external organizations and individuals on matters of significance to the success of the Laboratory.
Each Associate Laboratory Area organization has a designated EHS Division liaison who serves as a point of contact between a customer division (typically via a division safety coordinator) and the EHS Division. EHS liaisons function as troubleshooters, facilitators, and problem solvers. They provide technical consultation and responsive customer service, partnering with customers to implement cost-effective injury and illness prevention/loss control programs, assist line management with division Integrated Safety Management (ISM) plans, and provide ongoing support to customer division management.
Information regarding the EHS Division points of contact, policies and procedures, and other ES&H-related information is maintained on the EHS Division website.

C. Contact Information

Division Office
EHS Division

D. Revision History

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

Source Requirements Documents

None

Implementing Documents

None