The COVID-19 Prevention Program (formerly ES&H Manual Chapter 46) can be found here.
Contents
Approved by James Newman
Revised 6/25
46.1 Policy
46.2 Scope
46.3 Applicability
46.4 Exceptions
46.5 Roles and Responsibilities
46.6 Definitions
46.7 Required Work Processes
- Work Process A. Stop Work Immediately
- Work Process B. Notify Appropriate Parties
- Work Process C. Conduct Hazard Assessment
- Work Process D. Resume Work
Note:
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46.1 Policy
The intention behind Stop Work Authority (SWA) is to empower employees at all levels to halt work if they perceive any unsafe conditions. Stopping work is sometimes the most important action for protecting everyone involved.
Stop Work Authority establishes the responsibility and authority of any individual to stop work when an unsafe act or condition could result in injury or other undesirable event. The purpose of the Safety Stop Work Policy is to establish a uniform method for stopping work for all non-construction-related work. It applies to all facility operations and research activities conducted at Berkeley Lab and to all off-site facilities operated by Berkeley Lab personnel, and applies to all employees, affiliates and contractors regardless of time on the job or level of experience. (For construction-related Stop Work procedures, please see Chapter 10, Construction Safety, Work Process H, Stop Work Authority.)
Clarification for Pause Work Situations
Stop Work Authority (SWA) is a formal process that empowers any worker to halt operations, with work resumption requiring formal approval from designated authorities. In contrast, pausing work is an informal practice where an individual temporarily stops a task(s) when there appears to be a lack of clarity or confidence, typically resuming work on their own once they’ve resolved their uncertainty through consultation or research. The key distinction lies in scope and authorization—SWA affects broader operations and requires hierarchical approval to restart, while pausing is self-directed, limited to individual tasks, and generally allows for self-authorized resumption once the uncertainty is addressed.
Here is an example of a pause work scenario: two people are working independently in a lab. One has a concern about the other’s work, so they ask the other to pause; they have a discussion, and agree that everything is safe; this should not require line management or EHS involvement.
46.2 Scope
This program’s scope includes all Berkeley Lab work areas where non-construction work is happening.
46.3 Applicability
Stop Work applies to all Berkeley Lab employees, subcontractors, vendors, and affiliates engaged in non-construction work. All personnel have both the right and responsibility to initiate a stop work action without fear of retaliation.
46.4 Exceptions
None
46.5 Roles and Responsibilities
Role | Responsibilities |
|
All Personnel |
|
|
Line Management |
|
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Safety Personnel |
|
46.6 Definitions
Term | Definition |
Imminent Danger | Any condition or practice that could reasonably be expected to cause:
|
Responsible Division Management | The Berkeley Lab Leadership team members responsible for the work that is being stopped. |
|
Stop Work Authority (SWA) | The right and responsibility of employees to stop work when they identify a safety hazard that is uncontrolled or an unsafe condition, with a goal of preventing accidents, injuries, and potential harm by allowing workers to address safety concerns immediately. Key elements:
|
Stop Work Policy | A formal document outlining the procedures and expectations for employees when exercising their SWA to guide employees on how to properly identify, report, and address safety concerns, ensuring a consistent and effective approach. Key elements:
|
46.7 Required Work Processes
Work Process A. Stop Work Immediately
Initiate Stop Work if you observe conditions or practices presenting an imminent danger:
- Death or serious physical harm
- Significant environmental damage
- Substantial harm to public safety
Stop Work Immediately:
- Ask everyone involved to stop working
- Alert all affected workers in the immediate area
- Ensure the area is made safe to the extent feasible, is secured, and personnel are at a safe distance
Work Process B. Notify Appropriate Parties
After stopping work, immediately:
- Notify your line management
- Ensure appropriate Lab Staff and Leadership are aware that a Stop Work has been issued by contacting the Site Operations Center (SOC) at (510) 486-6999 or ext. 6999 from a Lab phone
Work Process C. Conduct Hazard Assessment
When Responsible Division Management addresses hazards independently, they will investigate, perform an assessment, and recommend corrective actions, as needed. If EHS Division staff are requested to assist, these steps will be performed collaboratively.
- Responsible Division Management will investigate the hazard (EHS Division staff may assist if requested)
- Severity will be assessed
- Corrective actions will be recommended if uncontrolled hazard is confirmed. Agreed-upon corrective actions will be tracked in the LBNL Corrective Action Tracking System (CATS) for completion with objective evidence
Work Process D. Resume Work
Work may only resume when:
- Responsible Division Management has assessed the condition
- Any identified uncontrolled hazards have been corrected and verified
- Any differences of professional opinions have been resolved
- All affected personnel have been briefed on the condition resolution
- Consensus to resume is reached by the Responsible Division and EHS
46.8 Source Requirement
LBNL Integrated Environment, Safety, & Health Management Plan, May 2021, Revision 9
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