Due to the risks posed by hazardous materials at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL, the Lab), special approval, acquisition, and management practices are needed to ensure personnel safety and the Lab’s compliance with Department of Energy (DOE) requirements. The DOE maintains approval authority for certain scientific research involving hazardous materials at DOE National Laboratories, including LBNL. Depending on the severity of risk associated with the restricted substance, acquisition approval may require some or all of the following:
- Written approval by DOE following asset characterization and risk determination as required by DOE O 470.3C. This includes dispersion modeling conducted by the Security and Emergency Services Division (SES).
- Additional physical security safeguards for the laboratory and/or facility housing the material.
- Research leadership approval and additional training for personnel needing access to the material.
The Hazardous Materials Management Policy (RPM 08.02.003.000) establishes the approval required before acquiring hazardous materials that meet the thresholds outlined above, in accordance with:
- DOE Order 470.3C, Design Basis Threat (DBT)
- DOE Order 471.7, Controlled Unclassified Information
- DOE Order 151.1E, Comprehensive Emergency Management System, and
- LBNL institutional requirements.
For further information on identifying hazardous materials that require additional controls, see the Guidance on Hazardous Material Assessments or email SES-Hazards-Analysts@lbl.gov with questions.
