This metadata refer to the dataset presenting the percentage change in the mean number of working hours in highly exposed occupations due to temperature change in four time periods (1995-2000; 2001-2005; 2006-2010; 2011-2015; 2016-2019) relative to the 1965-1994 baseline. The dataset combines sub-national labour supply and temperature and precipitation data to track the impact of temperature on labour supply (number of working hours) for highly exposed occupations (agriculture, forestry, mining and quarrying, construction).
The Wismut cohort consists of a sample of 58 974 male employees from around 400 000 former employees of the Wismut company. The employees were exposed to various occupational exposures ranging from exposure to ionizing radiation through radon and its progeny, uranium dust and external gamma radiation to silica dust, arsenic and diesel exhaust. It constitutes one of the largest cohorts of uranium miners who were occupationally exposed to radon. When the cohort was established, individual exposure estimates for radon progeny were reconstructed through a Job Exposure Matrix (JEM) which provides information on the annual exposure for a hewer with 2000 working hours. In the early years of exposure in the Wismut cohort (1946 – 1954/55), there were no systematic exposure assessment, and exposure values received in this period therefore had to be reconstructed retrospectively by experts. Due to a lack of exposure information, it was however impossible to reconstruct the exposure values for each object and year independently. Starting in 1954/55, there was exposure monitoring for underground mining objects in the Wismut cohort based on measurements of radon gas concentration (1955/56 - 1965 in Saxony and 1955/56 - 1974 in Thuringia) and radon progeny concentration (1966 - 1990 in Saxony and 1975 - 1990 in Thuringia). In this exposure assessment period, measurements were taken in each year and object to estimate a mean annual radon gas concentration and radon progeny concentration, respectively. Radon gas or radon progeny estimates were multiplied by a working time factor, an activity weighting factor, and either an equilibrium factor (for radon gas concentration measurements) or a ventilation correction factor (for radon progeny concentration measurements). Part 2 of the research project “Determination of uncertainties of radiation exposure assessment in the Wismut cohort” included the following tasks: (1) Quantification of uncertainty, (2) Definition of measurement models and development of an approach to correct for measurement error, (3) Design and implementation of a simulation study to compare the proposed approach with simulation extrapolation and regression calibration, and (4) Application to the data of the Wismut cohort without accounting for effect modifying variables and excluding workers who were employed in Wismut processing companies at any point during their working career.
Klimaschutzkonzepte und -szenarien fokussieren in der Regel auf Maßnahmen und Politikinstrumente, die entweder die Effizienz von Geräten, Anlagen, Gebäuden und Prozessen steigern sollen oder den Ausbau und die Integration erneuerbarer Energien zum Thema haben. Obwohl Suffizienzmaßnahmen und suffizienzfördernde Politikinstrumente wichtige Energieeinsparpotenziale haben, sind sie bisher nicht systematisch in die Szenarien oder darauf aufbauenden Politikkonzepte systematisch integriert. Das hier beschriebene Vorhaben hatte daher zum Ziel, eine verbesserte Entscheidungsgrundlage zu schaffen, um suffizienzfördernde Instrumente in die Energie- und Klimaschutzpolitik zu integrieren. Dies geschah durch eine Reihe von Bausteinen (Teilstudien). Erstens wurden die Potenziale für Suffizienzpolitiken in den Bereichen Pro-Kopf-Wohnfläche sowie Stromverbrauch unter Berücksichtigung von Zielgruppen und Hemmnissen ausdifferenziert und mit Hilfe einer Zielgruppen- und Hemmnisanalyse Ansatzpunkte für die Umsetzung gewonnen. Zudem wurde mit dem Thema "Reduktion von Erwerbsarbeit" ein grundsätzlicher gesamtwirtschaftlicher Ansatz zur Förderung von Suffizienz analysiert und mit Politiken unterlegt. Des Weiteren wurden Möglichkeiten zur Integration von Suffizienzmaßnahmen in Klimaschutzszenarien untersucht und die besonderen Stärken von Makro-Instrumenten im Vergleich mit kleinteiliger Instrumentierung sowie das Zusammenspiel beider Ebenen betrachtet. Weiter wurde eine Materialsammlung bereitgestellt, die helfen soll, die Akzeptanzbedingungen für Suffizienzinstrumente besser zu verstehen und politische Kommunikation dementsprechend zu planen. Schließlich wurde mit Hilfe von Fachgesprächen, Stakeholder-Workshops und Publikationen zu einer breiteren politischen Diskussion von Suffizienzpolitiken beigetragen. Quelle: Forschungsbericht
Statement of Principles I. Foreword by the Management Board of the Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung Acting on behalf of the federal government, the Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung mbH (BGE) is responsible for selecting the best possible location for the final disposal of high- level radioactive waste materials and for the permanent storage of radioactive waste deep underground. With this Statement of Principles pursuant to section 6(2) sentence 2 of the Supply Chain Act (LkSG), we, the Management Board of the BGE, stipulate the handling of human-rights and environmental risks in our own area of responsibility and for the BGE’s supply chains with respect to all of our sites. At the same time, with this Statement of Principles, the BGE sets out the expectations of employees, suppliers and business partners in terms of respect for human rights throughout supply and value chains. II. Commitment of the BGE to respect for human rights Against this background and as enshrined in its compliance programme, the BGE is committed to respect for human rights and the prevention and remediation of violations in these areas. The BGE’s commitment to the upholding of human rights is based on the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights of the United Nations (UN) and is also shaped by the International Bill of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (ILO Core Labour Standards), with its four basic principles regarding freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced or compulsory labour, the abolition of child labour, and the prohibition of discrimination in employment. To this end, the BGE obeys applicable national rules, such as the Basic Law as well as labour and social laws and regulations. The BGE expects its employees to follow the guidelines set out in this Statement of Principles, as well as the BGE’s Mission Statement, when making business decisions. This includes respectful and appreciative cooperation and fair collaboration with our business partners. The BGE also expects suppliers and business partners to commit to and abide by the respect for human rights and internationally recognised labour and environmental standards expressed in this Statement of Principles. At the same time, they are called upon to pass this expectation on to their own suppliers and business partners. III. Approach of the BGE to implementing human rights due diligence Implementation forms part of the BGE’s integrated management system approach. In particular, the existing occupational safety and health and the risk- and compliance- management system help to prevent or minimise harm to the reputation and credibility of the BGE in terms of the avoidance of any violations of human and environmental rights. In this way, the BGE builds trust and contributes to fair cooperation. For the handling of risks within the supply chain and within its own area of responsibility, the BGE has implemented a multistage process in which overall responsibility ultimately lies with the Management Board. LkSG risk management is covered by the uniform corporate risk management and is monitored by the Compliance/Anti-Corruption staff unit. Negative impacts, whether they relate to human rights or the environment, are systematically identified and remedied both at the BGE and at suppliers. The process described in detail in chapters IV to VII forms the basis for the BGE’s holistic and continuous LkSG approach. The arranged activities are regularly reviewed in terms of their appropriateness and effectiveness and undergo continual further development. The processes and results are documented and stored accordingly and are incorporated into the annual report to the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) in accordance with section 10(2) of the LkSG. IV. Risk analysis in our own area of responsibility and in the supply chains With this in mind, the BGE continually checks where particular risks of human-rights and environmental violations exist within its own area of responsibility and its supply chains. This check is based on an annual and also ad hoc risk analysis process that is carried out both for our own business activities and for direct suppliers. This process, which is also carried out for the BGE’s indirect suppliers where necessary, begins with an abstract consideration of risks and serves, in particular, to identify industry-, raw material- and country-specific risks for individual supplier groups with a view to the subsequent risk analysis. In the second step, suppliers that are subject to an increased risk are examined in relation to priority human-rights and environmental risks as part of a specific risk analysis. This process incorporates the expertise and experience of the relevant employees, who are in constant contact with the suppliers. The following areas are identified as being particularly sensitive: child and forced labour, income, working hours, discrimination, respect for freedom of association, and occupational safety and health. The results of the risk analyses are continually incorporated into business decision-making processes in relation to internal business strategies as well as the BGE procurement processes, which are regulated by procurement law. The risk analysis also provides a basis for the identification of appropriate preventive and remedial measures. V. Preventive measures At suitable points, the integrated management system approach involves using the completed risk analyses as the basis for defining aims and measures. These are then adapted and scrutinised in light of new results or findings. Corresponding measures are implemented on different levels in order to minimise the priority risks: • • • VI. Human-rights and environmental topics are enshrined within the BGE’s own area of responsibility by means of guidelines, internal awareness-raising, and staff education, as well as by continually reviewing measures with regard to their suitability. On entering into a contract, suppliers are obliged through supplementary contractual terms to respect the values and expectations arising from this Statement of Principles and to apply them when selecting their own suppliers. Furthermore, the BGE reserves the right to implement different risk-appropriate control mechanisms (e.g. spot checks and rights to information) in its supplementary contractual terms. Moreover, in formal procurement procedures exceeding the value limits set by the BGE, suppliers are called upon to include information on violations of the LkSG that are punishable by a fine in a self-declaration. Complaint procedure An appropriate and effective complaint procedure is available to employees, suppliers and business partners, as well as potentially affected parties, allowing them to report violations or negative impacts on humans and the environment in their own area of responsibility and in the supply chain and then to prevent or counteract them accordingly. Reporting individuals can contact the BGE’s Compliance and Anti-Corruption Officer with their complaints/reports not only by phone but also via the internet (https://www.bge.de/en/compliance/) and by post. This process is strictly confidential, and the reporting individual can also submit their complaint anonymously. The complaint procedure is impartial and respects the principle of the presumption of innocence. All complaints and reports relating to human rights violations and relevant violations of environmental obligations are processed in a transparent and predictable procedure. The findings provide the basis for the identification, introduction and monitoring of effective measures. The sequence of complaint procedures is described in the procedural rules (https://www.bge.de/en/compliance/).
The Konrad mine is the first repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste to be licensed in Germany in accordance with the Atomic Energy Act. Project Konrad is a highly complex and extensive construction project. Nuclear law imposes stringent safety requirements and serves as the benchmark for activities during construction of the Konrad repository. At the start of the previous legislative period, Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks decided, on the recommendation of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), to undertake fundamental restructuring measures with a view to eradicating structural deficits in repository organisation. Restructuring measures were implemented by means of the Act on the Reorganisation of the Organisational Structure in the Area of Final Disposal. As of 20 December 2017, the tasks previously performed by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft zum Bau und Betrieb von Endlagern für Abfallstoffe mbH (DBE) are now in the hands of a single body: the Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung (BGE). In anticipation of the legal merger of the participating companies and organisations, the Federal Environment Ministry asked the BGE to assess the status of the Konrad mine’s construction and to conduct a critical examination of the schedule. This evaluation was to be conducted with the help of an external expert body. For the first time, it was now possible to conduct a comprehensive assessment across the areas of responsibility of the former participants (BfS, DBE). In October 2017, the Management Board of the BGE commissioned TÜV Rheinland to carry out a corresponding review of the project. The results are now available. Why was the study carried out? Why is it being published now? As of 20 December 2017, the former operator of the Konrad repository – the “Safety of Nuclear Waste Management” department of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) – and the former operating company – the Deutsche Gesellschaft zum Bau und Betrieb von Endlagern für Abfallstoffe mbH (DBE) – have merged to form the Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung mbH (BGE). Prior to the formal merger, the Federal Environment Ministry asked the BGE to assess the status of the Konrad mine’s construction and to obtain an initial overview of the definitive schedule for the first time. In October 2017, the BGE Management Board commissioned TÜV Rheinland to carry out a corresponding review of the project’s scheduling situation. The results are now available. Could the Federal Environment Ministry not have foreseen the delay much sooner and therefore been able to prevent it? Thanks to the merger, it is now possible to assess the project status in a holistic manner for the first time. The previous organisational framework prevented better management of the project, especially given that the actual construction was in the hands of not one, but two organisations – the operator (BfS) and the third party DBE, which had been commissioned to carry out the planning and implementation (section 9a(3) sentence 3 of the old version of the Atomic Energy Act). The BfS was bound to the DBE by an inadequate cooperation agreement from 1984 that could not be terminated by giving notice, and it was not possible for the federal government to control the DBE under company law. The Federal Environment Ministry had no direct influence over the DBE from a technical supervisory perspective. In turn, when it came to technical supervision of the BfS, the non-terminable cooperation agreement meant that it was not possible to resolve conflicts between the BfS and the DBE. At the start of the last legislative period, Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks decided, on the recommendation of the BfS, to undertake fundamental restructuring measures with a view to eradicating structural deficits in repository organisation. Restructuring measures were implemented by means of the Act on the Reorganisation of the Organisational Structure in the Area of Final Disposal. Why should problems be easier to solve now? After all, you’ll still be working with the same people and are simply implementing restructuring measures. How will that help? The BGE is under new management and has a team of highly qualified staff at its disposal. The problems stemmed from the inefficient organisation of final disposal activities in the past, not from the competence of the BfS and DBE staff. When will Konrad be finished? The report from the expert body specifies the first half of 2027 as the completion date, taking account of the uncertainties that can be assessed at the present time. In particular, these uncertainties include that the Konrad mine is the first repository licensed under the Atomic Energy Act. TÜV Rheinland has therefore made a conservative estimate of the length of the necessary preliminary inspection procedure under nuclear law based on experience in relation to nuclear facilities. In addition, in the current phase of the project, there are still a number of building contracts to be concluded. Above all, contracts for the building to receive the waste packages are yet to be awarded. The market is also characterised by a low level of competition, with only a few specialised companies and expert bodies that are even suitable for performing the tasks. The expert body also took this uncertainty into account when estimating the completion date. The experts point to old contracts and differences of opinion between the various actors as the cause of the delays. What are they referring to? The experts are referring to contracts that, in some cases, were signed before 1990. Planning for the Konrad repository began in the 1980s, and there are significant existing contracts that the customer and contractor interpret differently in terms of which work must be delivered to what standard. The previous cooperation agreement, which could not be terminated simply by giving notice, meant that these sorts of contractual problems could not be resolved – or could only be resolved following lengthy negotiations. Do the experts also believe there is potential for optimisation that could help to save time? Since the reorganisation, the previously unclear division of tasks, responsibilities and powers between the BfS and the DBE has been resolved. It is now possible to simplify workflows within the BGE. An acceleration of construction work can also be achieved through the targeted extension of working hours at the construction site. Lastly, there is potential for further improvements in project risk management and therefore also more rapid implementation of suitable compensation measures. What does the delay mean for dismantling work in the various federal states? Will that be subject to delays too? The delay in the Konrad repository’s commissioning does not affect the dismantling of decommissioned nuclear power plants in Germany. For radioactive waste from the operation and dismantling of power reactors, sufficient interim storage capacity is, in principle, available at the plant locations or at decentralised interim storage facilities. This capacity is able to compensate for delays in the transport of radioactive waste to the Konrad repository. In light of the new insights into the commissioning of the Konrad repository, the Federal Environment Ministry will request an assessment of the interim storage capacity from the BGZ Gesellschaft für Zwischenlagerung mbH, which the Act Reorganising Responsibility for Nuclear Waste Management (VkENOG) tasks with the interim storage of product-controlled waste from nuclear power plant operators that has been conditioned for emplacement in the Konrad repository. Will the plans for the Konrad repository be adhered to? Dealing with scheduling challenges does not call into question the safety and suitability of the repository. By virtue of the planning approval, which entered into force in 2007, the system has been approved on the basis of extensive safety analyses. Throughout the construction process, developments in the applicable technical regulations have been and will continue to be taken into account. There is no evidence of safety defects. Nevertheless, as a responsible operator, the BGE is conducting an evaluation of the safety requirements in light of the state of the art of science and technology prior to commissioning. Could a shorter emplacement time make up for the delay in completion? When it comes to the operation of the Konrad repository, the logistics centre provided for in the Waste Management Transfer Act (EntsorgÜG), and whose establishment is stipulated in the coalition agreement, could pave the way for significant simplifications in delivery logistics, as well as in rapid emplacement logistics. The Federal Environment Ministry has commissioned the BGE to organise the emplacement itself, operating the repository on a two-shift basis. This two-shift operation was already taken into consideration as an option in the planning approval for the Konrad repository. During the emplacement process itself, it could increase capacity and significantly reduce the time needed for emplacement. Does this mean that everything will now be more expensive? Who will actually have to pay for it? Yes, the Konrad repository will be more expensive. At present, the total cost of building the repository is estimated at €4.2 billion. Increases on previous estimates result not only from the longer construction period, as forecast by TÜV Rheinland, but also from additional work due to adapted construction processes. The €4.2 billion does not include the €930 million of exploration and planning costs incurred from 1977 to 2007. Funding depends on the proportion of waste to be disposed of, with 60% stemming from the funds provided by the power companies as part of the nuclear phase-out in order to finance nuclear waste management and around 35% stemming from tax revenues (for waste from EWN and the research facilities). The remainder (about 5%) will be paid for by private waste producers, such as those involved in fuel production in Germany. Potential additional costs will be offset by savings during the operational phase, which can be achieved by reducing the time taken for emplacement. In 2017, the northern man-haulage shaft was withdrawn from service. The miners are now renovating the northern half of the shaft. In the shaft hall, workers install a baseplate in the near-shaft area. Here, a working platform will soon be suspended in the northern half of the shaft for use in the renovation work. Alignment of drilling locations for rock bolts. A group of visitors at Info Konrad. Info Konrad If you would like to see what the conditions underground are like for yourself, we would be delighted to give you a tour of the Konrad mine. Take a look at the main construction projects and experience the climatic conditions in which the miners work. For further information or to sign up for a tour, please contact Info Konrad . Main topic: Completion of the Konrad repository Info Konrad Brief information on the Konrad repository
With the arrival of the Omicron variant, the coronavirus pandemic is once again on the rise, resulting in a sharp increase in infection rates in many parts of Germany. The Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung mbH (BGE) and BGE Technology GmbH have not been spared by the virus. Out of a workforce of some 2,350 members of staff, 110 people have so far tested positive since the start of the pandemic. This figure corresponds to 4.68% of staff (as of January 2022). The BGE is steering a course through this prolonged health crisis on the basis of an updated pandemic plan. Extensive testing programme The BGE has introduced measures to prevent the spread of the virus at numerous points. For example, these measures include the installation of 191 air purifiers for offices and meeting rooms, the use of 2,100 litres of disinfectant so far, the provision of 355,000 FFP2 and 346,000 surgical masks for staff and visitors, and an extensive programme of testing at the various sites. Since the start of the pandemic, 18,820 self-tests and 7,345 rapid medical tests have been carried out at the BGE. This programme is expressly intended for everyone, including those who have already received three vaccines. To ensure the best possible protection of staff on company property, external visitors are also subject to the “2G-Plus” rule: access is granted only to people who have been vaccinated or recovered from the disease and can show proof of a negative COVID test result. Despite all of the safety precautions, mine tours remain suspended for the time being. Vaccination programme for relatives of BGE staff At the medical level, the BGE has responded by launching its own vaccination programme, delivered by the company doctor. Managing Director Stefan Studt has personally called on employees to take up this offer: “Vaccination is an opportunity, and not getting vaccinated is a risk – for you and the people around you. Protect yourself, your colleagues, your relatives and your friends by getting vaccinated and boosted.” The team of the company medical service has already administered 1,926 vaccine doses in over 70 vaccination sessions – and it is not only members of staff who have been vaccinated: family members have been able to and still can take up the offer of vaccination in separate sessions at the BGE. The next vaccination session for relatives will take place on 29 January. BGE crisis committee provides information on current developments As part of the “Corona-Info” service, a BGE crisis committee made up of 20 members of staff provides regular information on the latest developments in the pandemic, as well as changes to the rules, via the intranet. For example, the crisis committee provides information on the latest hygiene and quarantine rules, on recommendations in the case of suspected infections, and on high-risk areas. There have already been 80 such reports – and there are more to follow. This service helps staff maintain an overview of what is currently going on. For individual questions, the BGE has also set up a coronavirus hotline where staff can obtain additional information to that offered on the intranet. The BGE has also adopted other measures to support its staff during the pandemic. For example, the possibility of remote working has been significantly expanded through the acquisition of laptops and corresponding communication software. Core working hours and flexitime have been made as flexible as possible in order to improve the compatibility of work and caring responsibilities during the pandemic. At the mine sites, occupancies and descents have been staggered to minimise the risk of contact. Moreover, any infection that takes place in the workplace is analysed in order to derive any potential conclusions regarding future behaviour. About the BGE The BGE is a federally owned company within the portfolio of the Federal Environment Ministry. On 25 April 2017, the BGE assumed responsibility from the Federal Office for Radiation Protection as the operator of the Asse II mine and the Konrad and Morsleben repositories. Its other tasks include searching for a repository site for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste produced in Germany on the basis of the Repository Site Selection Act, which entered into force in May 2017. The managing directors are Stefan Studt (Chair), Steffen Kanitz (Deputy Chair) and Dr Thomas Lautsch (Technical Managing Director).
In its assessment, TÜV Rheinland identified not only existing problems and uncertainties but also opportunities and potential for optimisation. Problems arising from existing agreements and renewed calls for tender s Significant existing agreements relating to planning and construction work (some of which were signed before 1990) are leading to significant problems when it comes to the specific implementation of the respective subprojects. These also include contracts relating to the future emplacement shaft, Konrad Shaft 2, which has a decisive impact on the time frame for construction of the Konrad repository. In the past, the necessary clarifications could not be obtained as a result of differing interpretations of the cooperation agreement – a contract dating from 1984 that could not be terminated by giving notice and with which the federal government had commissioned the DBE to construct the repository. TÜV Rheinland recommended revising existing agreements with contractors as quickly as possible. In particular, it said that a decision should be made on the subsequent procedure with regard to the contracts for Konrad Shaft 2, which has a decisive impact on the time frame. This may result in a need to put work out to tender again. These are very complex installations, some of which must be acquired within a very limited market. The expert body assumes that the completion date will be delayed by 4.5 years – until the first half of 2027. This takes account of known and assessable uncertainties at this point in time. These include the following uncertainties in particular: The Konrad mine is the first repository licensed in accordance with the Atomic Energy Act in Germany. A conservative estimate has therefore been made of the completion date, taking into account the length of the preliminary inspection procedure under nuclear law. In the current phase of the project, there are still a number of building contracts to be concluded. Above all, contracts for the building to receive the waste packages are yet to be awarded. In the current market situation, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure the timely availability of individual technical components and specialist companies or expert bodies (e.g. on mining law). Potential for optimisation TÜV Rheinland also identifies potential for optimisation in terms of scheduling: Since the reorganisation, the previously unclear division of tasks, responsibilities and powers between the BfS and the DBE has been resolved. An acceleration of construction work can be achieved through the targeted extension of working hours. There is potential for further improvements in project risk management and therefore also more rapid implementation of suitable compensation measures. Initial implementation work at the BGE The BGE will analyse the expert report with a view to deriving further measures to aid the rapid construction of the Konrad repository. Independently of the report, the BGE had already begun taking initial measures with a view to exploiting the existing potential for optimisation. Since the merger last December, the BGE has been working intensively in several working groups on significantly simplifying and shortening internal workflows. The BGE is also setting up a system of process monitoring. In addition, the BGE has begun work on improving project risk management for the existing uncertainties and opportunities as well as on expanding this risk management to a holistic viewpoint. The BGE is reviewing the construction processes on an ongoing basis in order to reduce uncertainties and exploit potential opportunities. The first project decisions to this effect have already been implemented. Other possibilities, such as temporary two-shift operation during the construction of systems above ground, are being examined. Improvement of emplacement concept There is also potential for optimisation when it comes to preparing for emplacement and the emplacement process itself. The coalition agreement provides for the establishment of a logistics centre that will significantly improve the logistics processes for waste emplacement. The Federal Environment Ministry has commissioned the BGE to organise the emplacement itself, operating the repository on a two-shift basis. This two-shift operation and the associated higher annual emplacement volume will significantly reduce the accumulated operating time of the Konrad repository and the operating periods of interim storage facilities. The winding tower of the Konrad repository with its new look. The northern half of the shaft must now also be renovated. Expansion of the emplacement transport gallery as a tunnel bore: the gallery connects Konrad Shaft 2 to the emplacement chambers. Construction work at a depth of 850 metres in the near-shaft area at Konrad Shaft 2, through which the waste containers will subsequently be transported into the repository.
Tasks under mining and water law The final disposal of radioactive waste is not only subject to nuclear law, but also to mining and water law. In future, BASE will be responsible for the necessary mining and water licences for the final repositories for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste at Schacht Konrad and Morsleben (ERAM) as well as for the repository for high-level radioactive waste, which is still to be identified. BASE will also monitor the implementation of the mining licences and the safety of the operations as part of its role as mining supervisor. The water authority will remain with the Länder. Mining supervision of disposal mines has three main aspects. When will BASE take over responsibility? Repository Konrad © picture alliance/dpa | Julian Stratenschulte The responsibilities under mining and water law for the Konrad mine will be transferred to BASE once the nuclear supervisory authority has approved its commissioning following an overall acceptance inspection. The responsibility for the ERAM will be transferred to BASE as soon as the current licensing procedure for decommissioning has been completed. Following the final siting decision by federal law, BASE as the licensing authority will be responsible for the repository for high- level radioactive waste from the very beginning. The tasks pertaining to mining and water law for the Asse project, on the other hand, will remain with the state of Lower Saxony. What are the tasks pertaining to mining law? Repository Morsleben © picture alliance / dpa | Jens Wolf Mining law refers to the legal provisions concerning mineral resources and mining. Repositories in deep geological strata are mines in the technical sense. Therefore, to a large extent, they are also treated as such under the law. BASE's area of responsibility will include the licensing of mining activities in the repositories as well as the monitoring of operational safety and the occupational health and safety of employees. This concerns, for example, regulations on working hours, or the requirements for technical facilities such as the ropeway system for transporting persons or materials through a shaft. The operator of the repository , the Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung ( BGE mbH ), must submit their plans to BASE for review. If all legal requirements are met, BASE will issue a licence, and the planned measures can subsequently be carried out. Where do repository projects affect water law? Examination of the drinking water © picture alliance / Julian Stratenschulte/dpa Water law protects water as a natural resource. In the course of mining activities for the construction and operation of repositories, shafts and drifts may be driven into the subsurface. Some of these might penetrate layers in which groundwater flows. Water entering via such pathways must be collected, cleaned and discharged into water bodies at the surface. BASE will examine all repository projects that may have an impact on the quality of groundwater and other water bodies. Only if no negative impacts on water quality are to be expected will it grant approval. When will BASE take over responsibility? Repository Konrad © picture alliance/dpa | Julian Stratenschulte The responsibilities under mining and water law for the Konrad mine will be transferred to BASE once the nuclear supervisory authority has approved its commissioning following an overall acceptance inspection. The responsibility for the ERAM will be transferred to BASE as soon as the current licensing procedure for decommissioning has been completed. Following the final siting decision by federal law, BASE as the licensing authority will be responsible for the repository for high- level radioactive waste from the very beginning. The tasks pertaining to mining and water law for the Asse project, on the other hand, will remain with the state of Lower Saxony. What are the tasks pertaining to mining law? Repository Morsleben © picture alliance / dpa | Jens Wolf Mining law refers to the legal provisions concerning mineral resources and mining. Repositories in deep geological strata are mines in the technical sense. Therefore, to a large extent, they are also treated as such under the law. BASE's area of responsibility will include the licensing of mining activities in the repositories as well as the monitoring of operational safety and the occupational health and safety of employees. This concerns, for example, regulations on working hours, or the requirements for technical facilities such as the ropeway system for transporting persons or materials through a shaft. The operator of the repository , the Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung ( BGE mbH ), must submit their plans to BASE for review. If all legal requirements are met, BASE will issue a licence, and the planned measures can subsequently be carried out. Where do repository projects affect water law? Examination of the drinking water © picture alliance / Julian Stratenschulte/dpa Water law protects water as a natural resource. In the course of mining activities for the construction and operation of repositories, shafts and drifts may be driven into the subsurface. Some of these might penetrate layers in which groundwater flows. Water entering via such pathways must be collected, cleaned and discharged into water bodies at the surface. BASE will examine all repository projects that may have an impact on the quality of groundwater and other water bodies. Only if no negative impacts on water quality are to be expected will it grant approval.
Das Projekt "Demonstration of explosive dismantling techniques of the biological shield of the Niederaichbach nuclear power plant (KKN)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Battelle-Institut e.V. durchgeführt. Objective: This project aims at demonstrating explosive dismantling techniques on the biological shield of the nuclear power plant Niederaichbach (KKN), which was operated from 1972 to 1974 and is foreseen to be completely removed. The radioactive inventory of the shield is estimated in the order of 3.7E9 Bq (0.1 Ci). The level of activation is estimated to be in the order of 10 Bq/g, and the associated dose rates in the order of 10 micro Sv/h. Within this contract, blast peeling of the activated concrete from a 30C sector of the biological shield will be performed. This technique will be applied as one of 2 main techniques (hydraulic hammer besides blast peeling) for the dismantling of the whole biological shield of KKN; for this, the licensing authorities have already given their agreement. This demonstration project will be conducted according to the guidelines of the ongoing total dismantling of KKN. In particular, the generation of specific data on costs, working hours and job doses as well as on the amount of created secondary waste is considered as an important objective of this project. This will facilitate the application of this technology and acceptance from the safety point of view in future large-scale decommissioning operations. The project is a follow-up of small-scale work on inactive samples performed jointly under contracts FI1D0011 and FI1D0012. The work programme will be implemented jointly by three main contractors: Battelle Europe e.V./Frankfurt (BE), acting as coordinator, Noell/Würzburg (Noell) and Siemens/KWU (Siemens), as well as Stangenberg, Schnellenbach and Partner (SSP) as sub-contractor. Further cooperation is foreseen with TUV Bayern for the assessment of air filter systems. General Information: WORK PROGRAMME: 1. Preparatory planning and design work for on-site equipment and regulatory requirements (BE, Noell); 1.1. Layout of blasting patterns and of bore holes charging, according to the area of application (BE); 1.2. Design of blasting schemes according to the area of application (BE); 1.3. Definition of blasting area sub containments for the retention of dust, including associated filter systems (Noell, BE); 2. Demonstration blasting on the KKN shield by manual handling (BE, Noell); 2.1. Site preparation for the installation of tools and measuring devices (BE, Noell); 2.2. Assessment and implementation of auxiliary techniques such as bore hole drilling, cutting of the reinforcement by hydraulic shears, use of a hydraulic ram (Noell); 2.3. Main operation and concrete removal, consisting of a sequence of about 10 individual blasts, including pre- and post-blast working (BE, Noell); 2.4. Assessment of blasting performance, with respect to predetermined criteria such as concrete removal rate, safety aspects, integrated doses and generation of secondary waste (BE, Noell); 3. Assessment of dust retention by industrial filter systems with respect to efficiency and safety of handling (Noell, BE); 4. Assessment of ...
Das Projekt "Pilot dismantling of the KRB-A BWR. Dismantling of contaminated components of the reactor building and to activated internals of the reactor pressure vessel - Development and application of concrete sawing and melt encapsulation (Onion packa)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Kernkraftwerk RWE-Bayernwerk GmbH durchgeführt. Objective: The prototype Boiling Water Reactor Gundremmingen A (KRB-A BWR) of the Kernkraftwerk RWE-Bayernwerk GmbH (KRB) had a capacity of 250 MWe and was operated from 1966 to 1977. Dismantling work has been started for some time (especially the turbine hall has been dismantled), and complete removal of the power station is foreseen to be completed by 2000. The 2 foregoing EC programmes have been involved by 4 R and D contracts in the past dismantling work on KRB-A. KRB-A dismantling is a European undertaking according to the definition of the Euratom Treaty. Considering that the experience to be gained from the dismantling of the first representative nuclear installations in the Community should be made available to all Member States, the Commission selected KRB-A as a pilot dismantling project for the 1989-93 R and D programme on the decommissioning of nuclear installations. The Commission, through shared-cost participation in specific parts of the project, intends promoting the use of advanced techniques and the performance of collateral investigations, in order to enhance the generation of useful knowledge and experience to serve in subsequent decommissioning tasks. In particular, the generation of specific data on costs, working hours and job doses as well as on the amount of created secondary waste is considered as an important objective of this project. The assessment of techniques and procedures will be performed in collaboration with CEN/SCK Mol and VAK-GmbH, which are decommissioning the Pressurised Water Reactor BR-3 and the VAK BWR, respectively. The results and conclusions of the assessment work undertaken in contract FI2D0002 are taken into account for the implementation of work in this contract. As a BWR, KRB-A is representative for such reactors, existing elsewhere in the Community. The first phase of the contract involves the dismantling and segmenting of contaminated components of the reactor building in air (partly with subsequent decontamination), and of activated internals of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) in remotely controlled underwater operation. Estimations of maximal values for specific contamination or activation are in the order of 10 superscript 4 and 10 superscript 6 Bq/square cm, respectively. The second phase contains the development of specific tools and the segmentation of further steel components and concrete structures as well as the development of procedures for the conditioning of molten steel (onion package) and of decontamination waste. General Information: WORK PROGRAMME. 1. Dismantling in air of contaminated and low-activated components of the reactor building, partly with subsequent decontaminating/melting. 1.1. Dismantling of a secondary steam generator with various tools (band saw, flame cutting). 1.2. Dismantling of a primary circulation pump by band saw. 1.3. Dismantling of a primary clean-up cooler with various tools (band saw, diamond-tipped wire saw). 1.4. Dismantling of a shutdown ...
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