Survey of risk work and its impacts at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Has the emerging discipline of risk analysis had noticeable effects on research projects at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This question was studied via a survey of 110 ORNL staff members, which yielded 94 responses concerning impacts of risk analysis on ORNL projects, time spent on risk work, actual and suggested risk projects, and barriers to the development or risk work. Many respondents substantial impacts of risk work, in both new projects and new methods used in existing projects. Thirty-five respondents reported spending more than half of their time on risk-related work. Lists of impacts, of risk projects, and of barriers to the development of risk projects are presented.