Safety and Wellbeing

Los Alamos National Laboratory is fully committed to the safety and wellbeing of its employees. We believe that the safety and wellbeing of our employees and the work they do is the foundation of our mission and operational success.

We work to provide a positive, productive, and safe work culture for employees, students, contractors, visitors, and other on-site personnel. Our culture empowers all Lab managers and employees to be individually and collectively responsible for and committed to safety at work, including safely getting to and from work. 

As part of this commitment, Laboratory workers are responsible for and empowered to work safely, protect the safety and wellbeing of others, promptly report at-risk behaviors or conditions, and pause or stop work when observing imminent danger. Managers are responsible for providing an environment in which work can be performed safely and where safety and wellbeing concerns can be readily brought forward without fear of retaliation. When employees raise safety issues or concerns, Lab managers listen to employee feedback, ensure concerns are addressed, and take appropriate actions, when needed. 

Overall, the Lab supports a culture in which employees are empowered to improve safe work practices and invest in their own wellbeing. All Laboratory managers and employees share in this responsibility and commitment.

Summary of Policy

All workers at the Laboratory have the authority and responsibility to pause and/or stop work when confronted with an activity or operation in which anyone is unsure of safety, or suspects unsafe conditions, acts, or situations posing a potential or an imminent danger. The right of workers at the Laboratory to pause or to stop work implements a critical worker right under 10 CFR 851, Worker Safety and Health Program. Employees raising any issues or concerns regarding safety and health practices may take advantage of several venues to do so including notification to management, their Environment, Safety, & Health (ES&H) staff, Facility Operations Director (FOD), WESST representative, the Safety Concerns Hotline, or the Employee Concerns Program.

Do the Right Thing

• Take responsibility for and stay committed to promoting your own safety and wellbeing. 
• Share in the responsibility for the safety of your coworkers, your organization, and the Lab overall.
• Engage in safety, wellbeing, and culture initiatives and programs at the Lab.
• Be alert to safety risks and only undertake work you are trained to do.
• Maintain a safe work environment and conduct work safely to protect and preserve the wellbeing of yourself, Laboratory staff, and the public.
• Be consistent and disciplined in adhering to work procedures and guidelines when performing tasks and operations.
• Understand and apply safety standards to job function and perform duties in a safe manner.
• Be an advocate for safety and security.
• Report hazards, unsafe acts, and unsafe work conditions immediately.
• Pause or stop work in situations posing a potential or imminent danger.

Additional Resources

• LANL Safety website
• LANL Culture website
• Employee Assistance Program
• Occupational Health
• Safety Concerns Hotline: (505) 665-7233 (SAFE), or Safety@lanl.gov
• Worker Environmental, Safety and Security Team (WESST) 
• Employee Concerns Program
• Employee Concerns Hotline, (844) 537-9524 
• ESHQ Program Office website
• P101-18, Procedure for Pause/Stop Work
• SD100, Integrated Safety Management System
• P300, Integrated Work Management
• PD100, DOE/NNSA Approved Los Alamos National Laboratory and 10 C.F.R. 851, Worker Safety and Health Program