Year
1989
Abstract
The January 12,1988 DOE Firearms Safety Order 5480.16, requires that annual appraisals be conducted of all DOE sites and facilities that employ armed security personnel. In recent years, the escalation of terrorist activities have increased the threat of armed attacks against DOE nuclear facilities. To counter this threat, DOE has greatly increased the number of armed security personnel and obtained an wide range of sophisticated weapons and equipment. The expanded training and ancillary activities have brought about a drastic rise in the number of firearms related accidents and incidents. The Firearms Safety Appraisal System is designed to appraise the programs and procedures established to control the handling, storage, and use of firearms, ammunition, and related equipment. The objective of this paper is to present a systematic comprehensive approach in conducting effective firearms safety appraisals. This system has been in effect for the past 2-1/2 years at the DOE's Oak Ridge Operations and has produced positive results. Safe and efficient live fire range operations are based on sound training programs, proper range construction, valid ballistics data, quality instructors, and strict compliance with firing range safety rules.