Best Practices

The EFCOG Best Practices process is intended to communicate initiatives that are innovative, represent actions beyond generally accepted standards or application of standards to new functional area, or that significantly increase the efficiency or effectiveness of operations at DOE/NNSA Facilities.

What is a Best Practice?

A “Best Practice” is a practice with redeeming qualities and attributes that has been proven through implementation and would be beneficial for others to use. The term does not mean the best of all similar practices. Through this web-site the Department of Energy and EFCOG intend to share “Best Practices” across the DOE Complex.

“Best Practices” typically are a proven and practiced system, process or program that has been recognized by managers as having positive attributes, would be applicable Complex-wide, and is supportive of continuous improvement in a Topical Area.

Guidance for Submission of Best Practices

See our Best Practice Brochure for more information

For more information on Best Practices contact:

Number	Name of Best Practice	Date	Topical Area
230	Evaluation of Medical Travel Variance Requests for Other than Coach Class Seating to Address National Nuclear Security Administration Guidance	2019-08-09	Occupational Medicine
229	Best Practices in USQ Process in Relation to Contract Transitions	2019-07-30	Nuclear Safety
228	CsCI Source Exemption from Nuclear Facility Categorization	2019-07-25	Worker Safety & Health
227	Using Time Dependent HC Threshold Quantities to Predict the Future Hazard Categorization in DOE Nuclear Facilities	2019-06-24	Nuclear Safety
226	Facility Cold & Dark/Deactivation Process Step Considerations	2019-06-18	Deactivation & Decommissioning
225	Quality Assurance Considerations for Supply Chain Management in Large-Scale Capital Asset Acquisition Projects	2019-06-17	Quality Assurance
224	Management of Schedule Reserve/Margin within the Integrated Master Schedule	2019-06-17	Risk Management
223	Electrical Safety Processes for Utility/Commingled Distribution Systems	2019-04-16	Electrical Safety
222	Electrical Safety Training Model	2018-12-18	Electrical Safety
221	Assigning National Electrical Code and Electrical Safety in the Workplace Authority Having Jurisdiction Responsibilities	2018-12-18	Electrical Safety
220	Earned Value Management System Best Practice	2018-11-28	Earned Value Management System
219	Use of Premortem Technique in Risk Identification	2018-11-07	Risk Management
217	Implementing the Safety-Related Maintenance Requirements of NFPA 70E - 2018 Chapter 2	2018-08-30	Electrical Safety
216	Filler Material Control - Receipt, Storage, and Issue	2018-08-29	Welding
215	Welding in Support of Research and Developmentnt	2018-08-29	Welding
214	Regulatory Summary for 10 CFR 830 Part B	2018-08-28	Enforcement
213	Adoption of NFPA 70 2017 in place of NFPA 70 2014	2018-08-15	Electrical Safety
212	Preparation and Conduct of an Enforcement Investigation	2018-07-20	Enforcement
211	EFCOG Multiwire Branch Circuit Best Practice	2018-07-19	Electrical Safety
210	Contact Release Training Electrical Contact Release Training	2018-05-29	Electrical Safety
209	Repurposing and Downgrading of Existing Hazard Category 1, 2, and 3 Nuclear Facilities	2018-04-12	Nuclear Safety
208	Request for Consent Order/Settlement Agreement	2018-03-09	Enforcement Coordination
207	Identification of Look-Alike Electrical Equipment	2018-02-02	Electrical Safety
206	Adoption of NFPA 70E 2018 in place of NFPA 70E 2015	2018-01-17	Electrical Safety
204	Combustible Loading Limit Restricts Fire Size to the SSC Capability within the Fire Protection Area	2017-12-11	Nuclear Safety
203	Risk Assessment/Operation of Overcurrent Protection Devices	2017-11-15	Electrical Safety
202	Lines of Inquiry for Flowdown of Requirements and Subcontractor Implementation of 10 CFR 851	2017-10-17	Enforcement Coordination
201	Welding Program Ownership	2017-09-19	Engineering Practices
200	Incidental Welding: Welding Activities Not Covered by a Code or a Standard	2017-09-19	Engineering Practices
199	Regulatory Summary for 10 CFR 830.122 (QA Rule)	2017-06-29	Enforcement Coordination
198	Stakeholder Engaged Structured Decision Making	2018-09-20	Waste Management/Disposition
197	Use of Department of Energy Training Institute (DTI) for DOE Complex-Wide Training	2017-05-25	Training
196	Creating Video Refreshers for Just-in-Time Learning	2017-05-09	Training
195	Contractor Assurance System Effectiveness Validation	2017-03-02	Contractor Assurance
194	Calculation Spreadsheet for DC Arc Flash Hazard DC Arc Flash Calculator	2016-10-18	Electrical Safety
193	Adoption of NFPA 70E 2015 in Place of NFPA 70E 2012	2016-10-18	Electrical Safety
192	Guide to Incorporating Risk Assessment into Integrated Safety Management for Electrical Safety	2016-07-14	Electrical Safety, Integrated Safety Management
191	On-Site Review and Assessment of Subcontractor Welding Programs, Facilities, and Operations	2016-06-06	Engineering Practices
190	Non-DOE Owned Transport Equipment Return to Service Inconsistencies	2016-04-01	Waste Management/Disposition
189	Attributes of a Good NTS Report	2016-03-15	Enforcement Coordination
188	Electronic Training Forms System	2016-01-13	Training
187	Reporting Programmatic And Repetitive Noncompliances in NTS and SSIMS	2016-01-12	Enforcement Coordination
186	Recurring Event or Condition Worksheet Flowchart Recurring Event Worksheet	2015-12-03	Occurrence Reporting
185	Effective Use of Site-Specific Assessments by Waste Generators in Preparation for Facility Evaluations by the NNSS Radioactive Waste Acceptance Program	2015-11-12	Waste Management/Disposition
184	Controlled Work Area	2015-10-30	Electrical Safety
183	Use of a Remote Tapping Tool at Idaho National Laboratory to Minimize Worker Exposure and Avoid Future Contamination Accidents	2015-10-02	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
182	Use of Earthen Benches and Other Technologies to Support Remediation and Removal of Contaminated River Structures	2015-10-02	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
181	Safety Culture Monitoring Process/Panel	2015-09-22	Integrated Safety Management
180	Lockout Tagout Applicability to Physical Separation	2015-08-19	Electrical Safety
179	NMC&A Requirements for Non Special Nuclear Material (NSNM)	2015-06-19	Material Control and Accountability
178	Adoption of NFPA 70 2014 in place of NFPA 70 2011	2014-11-12	Electrical Safety
177	Adoption of NFPA 70 2011 in place of NFPA 70 2008	2015-03-27	Electrical Safety
176	Best Practices in Performing DSA Legacy Reviews	2014-11-05	Nuclear Safety
175	Variance Analysis	2014-10-27	Project Management
174	CPR/DID Monthly Validation	2014-10-27	Project Management
173	Compensatory Arc Flash Controls	2014-10-01	Electrical Safety
172	Termination of Safeguards Process	2014-08-31	Material Control and Accountability
171	Metals Moratorium Working Group	2014-08-31	Environmental
170	Effective Management and Disposal of Radioactive Wastes through application of Consolidation Approaches	2014-08-07	Waste Management/Disposition
168	Best Practice for GHS Secondary Container Hazard Labeling	2014-08-05	Industrial Hygiene and Safety
167	Lessons Learned in the Management of DOE Waste Incidental to Reprocessing (WIR) Program Critical to Tank Closures with tanks containing liquid radioactive waste that may be classified as High Level Waste (HLW) resulting in risk reduction at those sites.	2014-07-28	Waste Management/Disposition
166	Process for Safe, Efficient Laser Service Subcontractor Work	2014-07-28	Laser Safety
165	Management Assessment Evaluation and Feedback	2014-06-18	Assessment, Contractor Assurance, Integrated Safety Management
164	Developing a risk based subcontract audit approach	2014-06-11	Acquisition & Contracting
163	Field Tool for Estimating Incident Energy at Distance Using the Inverse Square Law	2014-04-24	Electrical Safety
162	Improving the Quality of Subcontractor Welding	2014-04-22	Engineering Practices
161	Baseline Change Proposals and Contingency	2014-04-16	Project Management
160	Reference guides to help laser users with laser lab design, laser operations, and laser disposal	2014-04-01	Laser Safety
159	Adoption of NFPA 70 2008 in place of NFPA 70 2005	2014-02-28	Electrical Safety
158	Laser Safety Newsletter	2014-01-17	Laser Safety
157	Using Laser safety questionnaires to gather assessment information and performance metrics data.	2013-12-09	Laser Safety
156	Internal Energy/Water Savings Reinvestment Programs	2013-11-27	Waste Management/Disposition
155	Preventing Use of Suspect/Counterfeit Bolt Fasteners in DOT Ratchet Type Tie Down Assemblies	2013-11-21	Waste Management/Disposition
154	Solar Powered Radioactive Air Environmental Monitoring	2013-10-30	Environmental
153	Process for Reporting Security Incidents and Concerns	2013-08-30	Integrated Safeguards & Security Management
152	Cognizant Engineer/Alternate Cognizant Engineer System Assignment List	2013-08-23	Engineering Practices
151	Task Preview A Risk Based Approach to Error Management in Work Planning	2013-08-02	Integrated Safety Management
150	Plan of the Day (POD) Leads to an Effective Pre Job Brief	2013-07-24	Integrated Safety Management
149	Best Practices in Categorical Exclusions Used in Implementing the USQ Process	2013-07-19	Nuclear Safety
148	Best Practices in Process Monitoring Reviews and Assessments on Implementation of the USQ Process	2013-07-19	Nuclear Safety
147	PNNL simulates active shooter, site wide lockdown during working hours	2013-07-19	Integrated Safeguards & Security Management
146	PNNL uses readiness methodology to stand up security officer protective force	2013-04-29	Integrated Safeguards & Security Management
145	Disposal Innovations for Large Components Onsite at Savannah River Site	2013-03-21	Waste Management/Disposition
144	eUSQ Computer Applications to Expedite the USQ Process	2013-02-27	Nuclear Safety
143	Lightning Protection and Grounding Systems Design, Installation, Testing, Maintenance and Inspection Safety	2013-02-22	Electrical Safety
142	Evaluation and Acceptance of Commercial Grade Items and Services	2013-01-03	Engineering Practices
141	Management Leadership in the Field	2012-12-27	Integrated Safety Management
140	Performance of Commercial Grade Surveys	2012-12-11	Engineering Practices
139	Development and Use of ORPS Program Performance Indicators	2012-12-05	Integrated Safety Management
138	Structural Code Guidance for Decontamination and Decommissioning Activities at DOE Facilities	2012-11-09	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
137	Electrical Code Guidance for Decontamination and Decommissioning Activities at DOE Facilities	2012-11-09	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
136	Flexible Packaging: Effective Design, Selection, and Use for Management of Low Level Radioactive Waste (LLW) and Components	2012-10-25	Waste Management/Disposition
135	The Learning Team Approach When Thinking Together Finds More Possible Solutions	2012-09-18	Integrated Safety Management
134	Historical Hazard Identification Process for D&D	2012-08-04	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
133	The Use of Explosives to Demolish the 1853K Cooling Tower	2012-08-04	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
132	Use of a Threat Assessment Team	2012-06-18	Integrated Safeguards & Security Management
131	Institutional Risk Management Committee as a vital part of a maturing the Contractor Assurance Process	2012-06-06	Contractor Assurance
130	Operational Performance Reviews (OPR) as a vital part of a maturing Contractor Assurance Process	2012-05-25	Contractor Assurance
129	Ensuring Notification of Recordkeeping Personnel When Documents are Created or Revised	2012-05-25	Engineering Practices
128	Identifying and Capturing Configuration Management Information	2012-05-25	Engineering Practices
127	Assessing Configuration Control of Drawing Files	2012-05-25	Engineering Practices
126	Radiological Surveys Waste Transport Vehicles	2012-05-25	Waste Management/Disposition
125	50 Year Environmental Stewardship Plan	2012-05-08	Environmental
124	Risk based Assessment	2012-04-20	Contractor Assurance
123	Standardizing Configuration designation Criteria Item Designation/Re	2012-04-19	Engineering Practices
121	Electrical Safety Assessment Criteria Document	2012-04-18	Electrical Safety
120	Definitions/Guidance for DOE O 232.2 Occurrence Reporting and Processing of Operations Information, Occurrence Reporting Criteria, Group 2, Subgroup E, Hazardous Electrical Energy Control	2012-02-25	Electrical Safety
119	Integrated Assessment Plan (IAP)	2012-02-21	Integrated Safety Management
118	Integration of Multiple Annual Submittals into ISMS Annual Report	2012-02-12	Integrated Safety Management
117	Integrated Controls Result in Significant Energy Savings	2012-02-06	Energy Efficiency
116	Environmental Scorecards	2012-01-10	Environmental
115	US DOE Nuclear Criticality Safety Program's Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer "Hands On" Subcritical and Critical Experiments Training and Education Course	2011-12-03	Nuclear Safety, Subcontractor Safety
114	Best Practices in Support of Implementing the revised DOE USQ Guide, DOE G 424.11B	2011-12-03	Nuclear Safety, Subcontractor Safety
113	Understanding, Assessing and Measuring a Culture of Operational Excellence	2011-11-29	Integrated Safety Management
112	Electrical Safety Position Paper Use of Automated External Defibrillators	2011-11-09	Electrical Safety
111	Adoption of NFPA 70E 2012 in place of NFPA 70E 2009	2011-10-20	Electrical Safety
109	Application of Expert USQDs to Expedite the USQ Process	2011-09-14	Nuclear Safety
108	Developing Every Leader at Every Level	2011-08-16	Human Capital
107	Recommended Structure for System Health Monitoring and Reporting	2011-09-21	Engineering Practices
106	U Learn Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Multi	2011-07-22	Human Capital
105	Improving Access to and Control of Database Information	2011-07-22	Engineering Practices
103	Working with Offsite High Level Waste (HLW) Samples	2011-07-07	Waste Management/Disposition
102	Waste Characterization/Classification	2011-06-13	Waste Management/Disposition
101	Explosive Demolition of Buildings 337, 337B and the 309 Stack at the Hanford's 300 Area	2011-06-13	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
100	Open Air Demolition of Asbestos Gunite by Using Track Mounted Wet Cutting Saw	2011-06-13	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
99	Waste Incidental to Reprocessing (WIR) Citation Determination	2011-06-05	Waste Management/Disposition
98	Unreviewed Disposal Question Evaluation (UDQE)	2011-06-05	Waste Management/Disposition
97	Waste With No Identified Path for Disposal (WWNP)	2011-06-05	Waste Management/Disposition
96	Performance Assessment Scoping Process	2011-06-05	Waste Management/Disposition
95	Radioactive Waste Management Basis (RWMB)	2011-06-05	Waste Management/Disposition
94	Contractor Participation in Enforcement Conferences	2011-05-12	Enforcement Coordination
93	Student Sustainability Challenge	2011-05-12	Environmental
92	Using Human Performance to raise staff awareness about potential security situations	2011-04-04	Integrated Safeguards & Security Management
91	Successful Strategies for Integrating ISMS into the On Boarding Process	2011-02-26	Environmental
90	Addressing Short Term Increased Training Demand Recovery Act Training Challenges and Success at the Hanford Site	2011-02-26	Environmental
89	Emergency Preparedness Contributes to Correct Radiological and Medical Response Actions	2011-02-26	Environmental
88	Radiation Protection Technology Training Fast Track	2011-02-26	Environmental
87	Safety Performance Index	2010-11-10	Integrated Safety Management
86	Space Management Practices	2010-11-04	Energy Efficiency
85	ISMS and Safety Culture	2010-10-26	Integrated Safety Management
84	Subsurface Investigations	2010-09-01	Electrical Safety
82	Safety Basis Supplement	2010-08-23	Nuclear Safety, Subcontractor Safety
81	Elements of a Best Practice Safety Equipment List	2010-08-23	Engineering Practices
80	Naming Conventions for Drawings, Specifications, Manuals and Procedures	2010-08-23	Engineering Practices
79	Safeguards and Security Tracking, Analysis and Reporting System (SSTARS)	2010-06-13	Enforcement Coordination
78	Requesting Excavation/Penetration Permits, Data Management and Client Relations	2010-05-28	Electrical Safety
77	Improved EMS/OSH Assessment Strategy	2010-05-26	Assessment, Environmental, Integrated Safety Management, Other
76	EMS as a Compliance Vehicle An Example: NPDES Compliance	2010-05-26	Energy Efficiency, Environmental, Performance Metrics, Project Management, Other
74	Developing a pipeline of potential critical skills candidates at the local level: the High School Technology Academy	2010-04-14	Human Capital
73	Energy Systems Technology and Education Center	2010-04-14	Human Capital
72	Post doctoral Professional Development Program (PD2P)	2010-04-14	Human Capital
71	Adoption of NFPA 70E 2009 in place of NFPA 70E 2004	2010-03-10	Electrical Safety
70	Human Performance Factors Considered in Causal Analyses	2009-11-08	Contractor Assurance
69	Performance Communications Center	2009-11-08	Contractor Assurance
68	Deployed Staff Model	2009-11-08	Contractor Assurance
67	Providing Operations Focused Environmental Regulatory Guidance to Enhance Operational Ownership and Regulatory Compliance	2009-07-09	Environmental, Integrated Safety Management, Management, Performance Metrics, Standards and Requirements
66	Performance of Arc Flash Calculations and Labeling	2009-06-17	Electrical Safety
65	Engineering Calculations	2009-01-10	Engineering Practices
64	Rebar and Dowel Placement	2008-12-17	Construction QC
63	Qualification of Suppliers/Distributors for Safety Related SSCs	2008-12-17	Construction QC
62	Items or Equipment/Material Storage	2008-12-17	Construction QC
61	Engineered Equivalency Applied to Construction Changes	2008-12-17	Construction QC
60	Construction Specifications	2008-12-17	Construction QC
59	Qualification of (ALL) Inspection and Test Personnel (Not Just QA Organizations)	2008-12-17	Construction QC
58	EMS 'Green Lights'	2008-10-26	Environmental
57	Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Awards Program	2008-10-26	Environmental
56	Managing Migratory Birds and In Use Nest	2008-10-26	Environmental
55	Achieving the First Record of Decision on a Canyon in the Complex	2008-03-21	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
54	Open Air Demolition of Radiological Contaminated Structures	2008-02-19	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility (D&D and FE)Engineering
53	Assets for Value Contracts	2007-12-18	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
52	Implementation of NFPA Arc Flash Requirements in D&D	2007-12-18	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
51	Use of Commercial Rigid Polyurethane Foam for Decontamination and Decommissioning	2007-09-01	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
50	Post Deactivation Surveillance and Maintenance of Excess Facilities	2007-09-01	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
49	Evaluation and Control of Airborne Fungal Populations for Worker Protection during the Deactivation of an Abandoned Process Facility (U)	2007-09-01	Deactivation & Decommissioning and Facility Engineering (D&D and FE)
48	Electrical Severity Measurement Tool R4 Updated	2013-06-24	Electrical Safety
45	Energy Management Program	2007-01-19	Energy Efficiency
44	Web based EMS Awareness Training Improves EMS Knowledge While Saving Time and Money	2006-11-14	Environmental
43	Avoiding Procedure and Database References in Regulator Approved/Enforced Documents Simplifies Work Transition Between Contractors and Saves Money	2006-11-14	Environmental, Standards and Requirements
42	Guidance for Retro Commissioning	2006-04-21	Energy Efficiency
40	Enhance Security Through Human Error Reduction (ESTHER)	2005-10-31	Integrated Safeguards & Security Management
39	Security Requirements Integration Team	2005-10-08	Project Management, S&S Program Planning & Management
38	Worker Protection from Carbon Monoxide (CO) Production from Plasma Arc Torch Cutting of Stainless Steel in Confined Space	2005-08-13	Integrated Safety Management
37	Improved Electrical Controls	2005-08-13	Integrated Safety Management, Project Management
36	Worker Led Multi Faceted Approach Improves Safety	2005-08-13	Integrated Safety Management
34	Enhanced Worker Classification Awareness as an Activity Risk Control	2005-03-23	Integrated Safeguards & Security Management, Project Management
33	Effective Use of Time Outs A Best Practice Summary (SRS)	2005-03-21	Integrated Safety Management
32	Reducing Time and Cost through use of a General Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan for Construction Activities	2013-12-12	Environmental
31	Consolidated Audits of Analytical Laboratories and TSDFs Leverage Resources and Improve Quality	2004-12-08	Environmental, Integrated Safety Management
30	360 Degree Photography Implements ALARA Principle	2004-12-08	Assessment, Environmental, Information Management, Integrated Safety Management, Management, Nuclear Safety, Project Management, Subcontractor Safety, Other
29	Mortar lining Aged Water Distribution Lines Protects Groundwater and Minimizes Waste	2004-12-08	Engineering Practices, Environmental, Integrated Safety Management, Maintenance, Subcontractor Safety, Other
28	Ultra Safe Rigging and Lifting	2004-09-21	Integrated Safety Management, Project Management
27	Template for Sustainable Design Standards	2004-06-24	Energy Efficiency
26	Winter Enclosure Improves Safety and Schedule	2004-06-24	Project Management
25	Work Package Contents Only Contain What's Needed By The Mechanic In The Field	2004-06-24	Maintenance, Work Management
24	Electronic Routing and Approval	2004-06-24	Maintenance, Work Management
23	Use of Delay Codes	2004-06-24	Maintenance, Work Management
22	Expedited/Fix It Now (FIN) Work Processes	2004-06-24	Maintenance, Work Management
21	Work Management Centers	2004-06-24	Maintenance, Work Management
20	Joint Review Group (JRG) A Senior Review Committee for Complex/High Risk Work Packages	2004-06-24	Integrated Safety Management, Maintenance, Management, Work Management
19	Problem Evaluation Request (PER) A Comprehensive, Low Threshold, Electronic Work Initiation/Problem Identification System	2003-12-16	Information Management, Management, Work Management
18	Quick Fix Work	2003-12-16	Maintenance, Work Management
17	Work Window Manager	2003-12-16	Integrated Safety Management, Maintenance, Work Management, Work Management
16	Worker Feedback	2003-12-16	Integrated Safety Management, Maintenance, Management, Work Management
15	Work Management Reporting System	2003-12-16	Integrated Safety Management, Maintenance, Management, Work Management
14	Standard Work Week Critiques	2003-12-16	Maintenance, Work Management
13	Practical Criticality Controls Training Facility	2003-12-16	Nuclear Safety, Subcontractor Safety
12	Defining and Implementing an Environmental Management System at a Large Complex Facility using Activity Based Compliance	2003-12-16	Environmental
11	Regulatory Agency Action and Inspection Tracking Systems	2003-12-16	Environmental, Information Management, Management, Performance Metrics, Other
9	Key Performance Indicator Program	2002-12-02	Performance Metrics
8	Continual Improvement of ISMS Through Statistical Trending	2002-11-20	Performance Metrics
7	A Data Driven Approach to Improving Safety Performance	2002-08-08	Integrated Safety Management, Other
6	Automated Job Hazard Analysis	2002-08-08	Integrated Safety Management
5	Hazardous Materials Tracking System (HAZTRAK)	2002-08-08	Integrated Safety Management
4	Application of a Senior Management Executive Steering Committee for ISM Leadership	2002-08-08	Integrated Safety Management, Management
3	Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS) Software	2002-08-08	Integrated Safety Management, Other
2	Self-Assessment Program	2002-08-08	Assessment, Integrated Safety Management
1	Roles, Responsibilities, Accountabilities, and Authorities (R2A2's)	2002-08-08	Integrated Safety Management, Management