A new era of safety at CERN

CERN is modernising its safety policy and organisational structure in matters of Safety with the introduction of new reference documents that have come into force on 29 September. These texts adapt the Organization’s safety policy to take account of how the Laboratory has evolved and to include best practice in Safety matters.

Safety is a priority at CERN, so it’s no coincidence that the Organization’s anniversary has been chosen as the time to launch a modernised approach to its Safety policy and how Safety matters are organised. On the day of CERN’s 60th anniversary, the SAPOCO 42 document, which covered both policy and organisational aspects, was replaced by a more concise general policy statement. The organisational structure and responsibilities in matters of Safety are now set out in a Safety Regulation, that is supplemented by subsidiary documents. Together these documents will replace the corresponding parts of the former SAPOCO 42 as well as Safety Codes previously in force. “SAPOCO 42 covered both policy and organisational questions,” explains Philippe Lebrun, Chair of the Safety Policy Committee. “In accordance with modern standards the two aspects are now separated. The policy will remain perennial as it defines the general overarching principles and the basis for all the regulatory texts in matters of Safety.”

Over its 60 years of scientific activity, the Laboratory has changed its internal structure many times. From the old days when each machine had its own division to more recent times where the department activities cover various machines. Over the years, some experiments have become very large collaborations, while smaller ones continue to exist. In general the complexity of CERN’s organizational structure has increased. In addition CERN is an ‘open’ organization with an extensive presence of contractors and many users and trainees from institutes all over the world. “The new Safety Regulation  stipulates - just as the previous one - that Safety responsibilities follow the hierarchical line,” explains Angela Goehring-Crinon, Legal Advisor to the HSE Unit. “However, it also now reflects the fact that many activities at CERN operate in a matrix structure, across departments and takes into account the complexity of the large experiments and the specific challenges associated with it. Finally, it underlines that all collaborating institutions and contractors must comply with the CERN Safety rules.”

Many stakeholders, including department heads, technical co-ordinators of the large experiments and numerous Safety officers, were consulted during the preparation of the new documents. “It was important for us to collaborate with the many people involved with Safety at CERN,” explains Ralf Trant, Head of the HSE Unit. “The documents were discussed with a great variety of stakeholders and modified where needed. The final result of this collaborative effort is a set of documents which is in accordance with today’s standards and reflects CERN’s current needs and structure.” The new documents provide a perennial policy as well as a consistent regulatory framework in matters of Safety, which describes all the organizational aspects.

The new safety policy and rules were published on the HSE website on 29 September. “The success of this new policy will depend on all persons participating in the activities of the Laboratory putting it into practice, each at their level of responsibility,” emphasizes Ralf Trant. “The Organization's culture of excellence applies to Safety too. Every one of us has a role to play and must ensure that we carry out our duties safely.”

“The Safety policy and organization are now setting the right framework that will allow the organization to meet its future challenges,” concludes Philippe Lebrun.

by CERN Bulletin