DOE EEOICPA Responsibilities Overview

Department of Energy EEOICPA Overview Gregory Lewis Gregory Lewis Office of Worker Screening and Compensation Office of Worker Screening and Compensation Support Support December 1, 2022 December 1, 2022

DOEs Responsibilities under EEOICPA Respond via the SERT system to DOL and NIOSH requests for information related to individual claims. (employment verification, exposure records). Provide support and assistance to DOL and NIOSH on large-scale research and site characterization projects Conduct research, in coordination with DOL and NIOSH, on covered facilities designations. Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 2

Individual Claims DOE EEOICPA Site POCs: Manage site s response to individual records requests. Ensure DOE responses are complete and timely Coordinate all research activities Set up site visits and tours Identify site subject matter experts and to facilitate interviews with current and former workers Provide onsite EEOICPA information to workers Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 3

Individual Claims Fund and coordinate records retrieval activities at DOE sites Employment verifications are the first step of the process and typically the most straightforward NIOSH requests all radiological monitoring and dose data Document Acquisition Requests (DAR) employee work history/exposures for DOL Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 4

History Search Process Started with primarily paper records sent via mail Mix of paper records and electronic records on CD All records electronic via CD or thumb drive Encryption SERT system Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 5

History Search Process Scanning and indexing projects Some are large scale (Idaho, Nevada test Site, Hanford) Most are small and targeted -- Small collections, binders, notebooks, etc. Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 6

Search Process The records search process is different at each DOE site, but at most active sites the process follows a similar outline EEOICPA POC receives the claim through the SERT system triage is done on the claim. This may include cross referencing basic site databases to identify a site ID number Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 7

Search Process EEOICPA POC sends the request to responsive records areas: Human resources Medical Industrial hygiene Radiological controls/dosimetry Incident and accident reports Records archive Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 8

Search Process Each of the records areas will conduct an exhaustive search of their holdings There can be many different electronic and physical locations for each type of record The location of responsive records can depend on the type of job category of a worker, the time period of employment, the prime contractor on site at the time, whether the individual was a subcontractor or visitor, etc. Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 9

Search Process Items to note Current worker vs. worker from 40 s/50 s/60 s can be different Legacy Management Legacy records in general Federal employees (St. Louis) Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 10

Search Process Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 11

Search Process Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 12

Metrics Volume of records Approximately 14,000 records responses per year (all three types) From over 25 different DOE locations (with sub-sites) Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 13

Metrics Size of Records Packages Average # of pages per Employment verification 15 pages Average # of pages per NIOSH Request 50 Pages Average # of pages per DAR 150 pages Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 14

Metrics Timeliness 60 Day Goal In FY 22 DOE had an 85% on time response rate Prior to the pandemic DOE had a 98% on time response rate Issue with PII protection in FY 2022 caused delays Goal to be back above 90% for this fiscal year Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 15

SEM Initially created from 2006 to 2008 Teams from DOL went to every DOE site DOE site helped with search process DOL teams reviewed thousands of boxes DOE sites copied and reviewed hundreds of documents at each site The SEM was reviewed for classification in 2009 and released to the public New information is held and reviewed by DOE every 6 months before inclusion in SEM Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 16

SEM DOE continues to support DOL in adding data to the SEM DOL is working with DOE to fill in gaps and add recent site activities DOL will also consult DOE if claimants, claimant advocates or members of the public have submitted specific requests for inclusion in the SEM Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 17

Outreach Joint Outreach Task Group includes DOE, DOL and NIOSH, along with the DOL and NIOSH Ombudsman as well as the DOE Former Worker Medical Screening Programs. These groups all have a different role and mission, but are largely targeting the same workers, so combined outreach efforts are more efficient for the organization and for the workers and their families. Increased virtual outreach activities since the start of the pandemic, but also returning to in person outreach activities Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 18

Former Worker Medical Screening Program (FWP) History: Established following the issuance of the FY 1993 Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 102-484), authorizing DOE to: establish and carry out a program for the identification and on- going medical evaluation of former DOE employees who are subject to significant health risks as a result of the exposure of such employees to hazardous or radioactive substances during such employment . Mission: To identify and notify former workers at risk for occupational disease and offer them medical screening that can lead to treatment. First former worker projects initiated in 1996. Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 19

FWP (cont.) Program now serves all former workers from all DOE sites in locations close to their residences. Identify and notify former workers at risk for occupational disease. Offer medical screening that can lead to treatment. Provide information and assistance about medical follow-up and compensation. Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 20

Resources for FWP Information FWP website: https://www.energy.gov/ehss/former- worker-medical-screening-program-0 Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 21

Thank you! Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security 22