Stop Work authorities and responsibilities at the Hanford Site are nothing new, but sometimes staff members are confused about what Stop Work means and what their responsibilities are regarding it.
Stop Work authority is essentially the stopping of your own work or the work of others if you reasonably believe that you or they or the environment is in danger. Most Stop Work issues are resolved informally, but some require more in-depth evaluation to ensure the work can be completed in a safe manner.
Who can invoke Stop Work? Anyone. You don't have to be an expert in the area of concern and you don't have to be involved in the work in question. You don't even have to be an employee of the company doing the work. All of the contractors on the Hanford Site are signatories to the Hanford Site Stop Work Responsibility and all must comply with it.
How do I stop work? If you don't feel that your own work is safe, stop the work and notify your manager of the unsafe condition. If it is the work of others, tell them and their supervisors that you believe what they are doing is unsafe and request they stop work until the situation is resolved. If someone refuses to stop working after you have invoked Stop Work, immediately contact your Safety and Health Representative.
What will happen to me personally if I stop work? Nothing, retribution for invoking Stop Work will not be tolerated. Period!
What happens if after experts make an evaluation, they decide the situation is safe and I still don't think it is? After an evaluation is conducted and a determination made by qualified experts that the safety issue has been properly resolved and other workers are confident that the conditions for work are safe, the work will continue. If you personally still believe it is unsafe, you will be assigned to another job with absolutely no retribution.
Most Stop Work issues can be prevented with good communication and advance planning. The SBMS subject areas, Safety Rights and Responsibilities and Stopping Radiological Work, provide procedures and guidance regarding Stop Work. If you have additional questions regarding Stop Work, contact your Safety and Health Representative or Radiological Engineer.
