Operational support

Measurements of radiation levels in the air and in effluents as well as measurements in the environment show that the effects on the population are so low that they are practically immeasurable. Therefore, they are calculated by models for the most exposed groups of the population.

Calculations show that the annual dose of individuals from the group of the local population which could be the most exposed to the influence of NEK falls below the 0.003% dosage on the average received by a person due to natural sources of radiation.

In 2020, the estimated value of radiation effects (annual effective dose) of the Krško NPP on the population living in the direct vicinity of the plant amounted to 0.007 μSv, i.e. 0.003% of radioactivity present in soil and radiation from space.

Measurements in the surroundings of NEK are provided by independent professional institutions.

Comparison of annual radiation doses of the public in the vicinity of NEK

The administrative limits for occupational radiation exposure amount to 20 mSv per year. This limitation also applies to healthcare workers and the providers of industrial radiography. The limitation of 20 mSv in one year is set based on the probability of adverse health effects. In usual circumstances, the risk exceeding this dose would no longer be acceptable.

The average annual dose received by a Krško NPP worker amounts to approximately 0.42 mSv. The highest doses received by individual workers during an outage amount to approximately 6.68 mSv and they are three times lower than the regulatory ceilings.

Comparison: Annual Report on Radiation and Nuclear Safety states that the most exposed group of workers includes tourist workers in Karst caves due to radon exposure. They received an average dose of approximately 7 mSv, which is more than 17 times the average dose received by workers in the Krško NPP radiologically controlled area.

The dose we are exposed to due to natural sources of radiation, amounts to 2.4 mSv in one year.

In 2011, the Krško NPP introduced the BS OHSAS 18001:2007 standard setting the requirements for the management of the occupational health and safety system. In 2020, the occupational health and safety system was updated and adjusted to the requirements of the new ISO 45001 standard. The certificate obtained confirms the adequacy of the system which is regularly supervised and ensures the implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety Policy.

Health and Safety Policy at NEK (Krško NPP)

The Krško NPP is committed to ensuring a safe work environment, proper protective measures, and employee training to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses. The plant’s working conditions and fire protection are provided and improved on the basis of contemporary work standards and operating experience.

1. Occupational Health and Safety Management and fire protection program is maintained and upgraded in compliance with the requirements of the ISO 45001:2018 standard.
2. We comply with the requirements of the applicable legislation and the requirements adopted internally and connected with occupational health and safety.
3. We take the applicable prevention measures to ensure healthy and safe work conditions to prevent occupational injuries and damage to health.
4. We ensure the effectiveness of occupational health and safety and its continuous improvement through consultation and cooperation with employees and their representatives.
5. We implement all available measures to ensure occupational health and safety and fire safety.
6. We include important fire safety measures into development plans, modifications, annual goals, and Corrective Action Program.
7. We measure and monitor the impacts of the plant operation on the employees and take preventive actions as necessary based on objective facts.
8. We train the employees and contractors in the area of safe work practices and fire protection and inform them about the importance of occupational health and safety.
9. We inform all the natural and legal persons working for NEK about our occupational health and safety and fire safety policy.
10. The interested public has access to the system of occupational health and safety and fire safety policy.
11. By setting an example and being present on the workplace, all the management levels verify, foster, and improve standard behaviours during work execution.

The plant’s Quality Assurance System is aligned with the American legislation: 10CFR50, Appendix B, Quality Assurance Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants and Fuel Reprocessing Plants.