DOE Human Subjects Protection Program

Participating DOE Laboratories and Sites

Regulations, Orders,
and Policies

DOE Human Subjects Resources

Other Resources

Community IRB Members

DOE Worker
Health-Related Studies and Programs

Scientific Integrity

Contract Acknowledgement

Participating DOE Laboratories and Sites

Savannah River Site

The Savannah River Site (SRS) is dedicated to maintaining the highest possible safety standards. It is a key Department of Energy (DOE) industrial complex responsible for stewardship of the environment, the enduring nuclear weapons stockpile, and nuclear materials. More specifically, the SRS processes and stores nuclear materials in support of the national defense and U.S. nuclear non-proliferation efforts. The site also develops and deploys technologies to improve the environment and treat nuclear and hazardous wastes left from the Cold War.

The site is owned by DOE and operated by an integrated team led by Washington Savannah River Company (WSRC, parent company: Washington Group International). The team also includes:

• Bechtel Savannah River Inc. (parent company: Bechtel National Inc.), which is responsible for soil and groundwater closure projects, project management, design and construction services.
• BWXT Savannah River Company (parent company: BWX Technologies), which is responsible for nuclear materials management and Tritium Extraction Facility startup and operations.
• BNG America Savannah River Corporation (parent company: BNG America), which is responsible for the site’s solid waste activities and infrastructure.
• CH2 Savannah River Company (parent company: CH2M Hill), which is responsible for deactivation, decommissioning and demolition.  

Research and development is performed at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) (previously known as the Savannah River Technology Center until May 2004). SRNL creates, tests and deploys solutions to the technological challenges facing the site and the nation.  

The Savannah River Site does not conduct basic human experimentation; for example, research necessary to evaluate new treatments for cancer. However, a number of epidemiological and health studies of SRS workers, former employees, and members of the surrounding communities are currently being performed by outside research institutions such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and The Center to Protect Workers' Rights. 

To protect the safety and privacy of subjects participating in this research, WSRC has established an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to monitor handling of health information. All of the studies being conducted by external institutions are reviewed by external IRBs prior to review by the WSRC IRB. On occasion, the WSRC IRB reviews human factors studies performed using volunteer workers.

Content reviewed: June 25, 2007