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Previous workshop event notes are available for download and are free for SAFESPUR members only. Non-members can access a summary of the event by downloading workshop flyers.
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A playlist of videos from the Safespur events is available at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/CIRIANews/videos?view=1
Notes from the event are now available here
Overview and forecasts |
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David Rossiter, LLWR |
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Examples of current practices in the nuclear and defence sectors |
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David Adamson, Sellafield |
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Ellanor Joyce, Magnox |
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John Bloodworth, KDC |
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What is being achieved in other sectors? |
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John Barritt, WRAP |
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Donna James, Highways Agency |
Coming soon |
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Emma Adam, NISP |
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Regulatory perspective |
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Paul Robinson, Environment Agency |
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Public attitudes to off-site use |
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Patrick Higgins, Enviros |
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This meeting was chaired by Peter Booth, who is Senior Technical Director at WSP Environment & Energy. It was in two parts: in the morning session there were four presentations from key players in establishing and implementing the revised regime for exempting radioactive materials and wastes from regulation (click title to view presentations):
In the afternoon session there was a discussion of potential SAFESPUR events for 2012
This meeting was chaired by Peter Booth, who is Senior Technical Director at WSP Environment & Energy. It included five presentations on very different subjects:
Peter explained in his introduction that CIRIA would welcome feedback on
whether any of the
subjects should be explored in more detail in future workshops. There were
Q&A opportunities after each presentation. In the afternoon there was
a tour of the AMEC Analytical Services laboratory complex.
SD:SPUR hosted an event entitled Nuclear decommissioning and the waste hierarchy: Inside and outside the fence in May 2011, which focused on the disposal or reuse options for low level radioactive waste. The issue of low level radioactive waste is a core concern in the decommissioning process and one that SLCs are finding innnovative approaches to.
SAFESPUR hosted an event focused on decommissioning priorities and challenges. Several key organisations were incorporated to give an overview of the situation and lay out specific issues they have encountered in delivering their decomissioning agenda. The day was an excellent networking opportunity and included presentations from inside and outside the NDA estate.
SAFESPUR ran an extremely interesting event entitled Land quality: demonstration projects and delicensing" on 14 October 2010. The event was held at the eOffice venue in Birmingham and was well attended by those involved in the nuclear and land remediation industries. For a report summarising the day please click here.
We were given several informative presentations (click title to view the presentations):
Paul Atyeo (RSRL) - Progress with
Licence Termination (Delicensing) of the UKAEA, Harwell Site, UK
Stuart Johnson
(HSE NII) - Delicensing of nuclear sites
Rob Sweeney (CL:AIRE) –
CL:AIRE remediation projects and the sustainable remediation initiative SuRF-UK
This one day conference took place at the Radisson in Manchester on 25 May 2010 and was well attended by members of the nuclear industry, regulatory bodies and academia. The event focussed on sustainable waste and material management in nuclear decommissioning. It showcased current site practices which delegates were able to learn from and focused on case studies on characterisation, risks, technologies, planning for the waste hierarchy as well as pointing out obstacles, uncertainties and possible solutions in the field.
There were several very informative presentations, available for download on the SD:SPUR website by clicking here or the links below.
Tim
Hedahl - International experience in low level waste management
Kevin
Barnes - Wheal Jane Pilot Passive Treatment Plant
John
Morrison - Low Moss Prison, Bishopbriggs
Stephen
Murdock - Characterisation to justify the appropriate management of solid
wastes in the nuclear Industry
Chris
Hope and Gary Clarke - Bulk exemption of Calder heat exchanger asbestos
Paul Atyeo - Experience
with the reuse of buildings on nuclear sites
Joe Toole
- Automated and intelligent waste segregation technologies the US experience
Rob Stone - Application
of DQO methodology to GER healthcare decommissioning
This one day event provided delegates with the opportunity to learn, discuss and share experiences from previous projects to tackle the complex decommissioning projects of the future. The day presented decommissioning techniques and technologies, technical problems and solutions and most importantly the opportunity for delegates to share good practice from their past experiences. There was also a dedicated exhibition area with ample networking opportunities.
Presentations and flyer download
Event Flyer
Michael
Calloway, NDA- Overview of challenges on decommissioning sites
Chris Halliwell, Sellafield
Ltd - Developing the Decommissioning Strategy
Peter Burgess, Nuvia
- Materials and waste characterisation: Dealing with difficult waste
Gregory Antill,
NUVIA - Radiation Safety in Practice: Pressurised suit operations
Matt Cole, SA Robotics
- Good Practices for Robotic Technology in Nuclear Applications
Neil
Hines, NESL - R & D - Cost Minimisation and Solution Optimisation
Steve
Kennon, MMIC - The Utilisation of Technology used in Military Projects
Nick
Brown, NUVIA - Decommissioning Waste Handling
Dr. Steven Stanley, NNL - Recent Technology Developments To Enable Hazard
Characterisation For Nuclear Decommissioning
Applications
Helen Beddow,
NUVIA - Land and Waste Characterisation: In-situ and bulk assay technologies
Andrew White, NUVIA
- Sludge Processing Extraction Head
This workshop focused on the ReCLAIM tool which is an electronic spreadsheet developed by NNL that can undertake simple generic and site-specific assessments of radioactively contaminated land. For more information please click here: www.environment.nnl.co.uk/reclaim.html.
This SAFESPUR Christmas event provided an informal networking evening for delegates to share information in a relaxed environment.
The event was hosted by Hammonds LLP and featured topical presentations on:
Presentations download (pdf)
Workshop flyer l SAFEGROUNDS
update l SD:SPUR update l SAFESPUR
update l NDA
This SAFESPUR event focuses on the application of innovative technologies
for the
treatment and management of legacy waste, storage, disposal as well as interlinked
decommissioning activities and site remediation.
Speakers included NDA, Sellafield Ltd, DIAMOND and Impact Services Inc. There
was also the opportunity to hear from a winner based on BBC Two's Dragon's
Den competition style on his "ice pigging" technique.
The event was kindly hosted by NSG Environmental Ltd and
features a site tour of their new nuclear waste management development facilities.
Presentation downloads (pdf)
Workshop flyer l Workshop
note l NDA l Sellafield
l WSP Remediation l National
Nuclear Laboratory l Impact
Services l Bristol University
l
This popular event attracted over 40 delegates to hear and discuss case study examples of remediation on nuclear sites. Examples included a CL:AIRE demonstration project and the decision making process required for remediating on the Dounreay site.
Delegates also to listened to the differences in the regulatory regime for non-radiological and radiological contamination and useful good practice guidance documents when undertaking risk assessment including the CLR11 model procedures.
Presentation downloads (pdf)
Workshop flyer l Workshop
note l Nuvia l UKAEA
l Nuvia l CL:AIRE
l The Sirius Group l Environment
Agency
This event attracted over 35 delegates to Birchwood park in Warrington, where
delegates listen to the challenges in managing and disposing of low level
waste, especially as the main consignors of nuclear and defence sites are
to protect people and safeguard the environment.
Chuck Conway from the low level waste repository in Cumbria spoke about some
of the ongoing work and plans for future LLW disposal capacity. The show case
session illustrated two examples of how radioactive waste can be successfully
managed. Delegates were also able to visually see how radioactive materials
are practically assessed and quantified in the tour of AMEC's NIRAS laboratory.
Presentation downloads
Workshop flyer l Workshop
report l Environmental Agency
l LLWR l NuLeAF
Showcase presentations
Sellafield l Pyros
Environmental
Over the past decade the overall skill base within the nuclear industry has declined significantly. The nuclear industry has been thorough a series of major changes over the last 20 years, subsequently affecting the overall skill base and effective management of knowledge.
This workshop provided delegates the opportunity to hear the lastest updates
in the nuclear skills sector including the NDA and National Skills Academy
for Nuclear.
Presentation downloads
Workshop flyer l Workshop
report l National Skills
Academy for Nuclear l Gemco
l National Nuclear Laboratory
l NDA (not available)
This event will examine the implications of legal issues relating to both radioactive and non-radioactive contaminations for different types of sites. It will provide an opportunity for clients, consultants, contractors, local authorities, radiation protections advisors, regulators and those involved in site remediation activities.
The technology showcase will enable delegates to hear the different approaches that the industry has commonly applied to deal with radioactive contaminants and non-radioactive contaminants.
Presentation downloads
Workshop flyer l Workshop
report l Marion Hill l Worley
Parsons l Quintessa
Showcase presentations
AMEC l Churngold
l ENVIROS l WSP
Delegates who attended this event were able to learn about innovative approaches
to apply to decommissioning projects and understand how research is developing
in this area. This event featured a soap box session where delegates gained
an insight into some of the new technologies that are being developed.
The event also addressed some of the potential and actual barriers to implementing
new technology in decommissioning.
Presentation downloads
Workshop flyer l Workshop
report l Bradtec
Decon Technologies l Loughborough
University l Nexia
Solutions
Soap box session presentations
NUVIA l Studsvik
l Environment Agencies
Requirements Working Group (EARWG)
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) presented their prioritised strategy for decommissioning and clean-up, whereby Sellafield and Dounreay have been identified as priority sites. Delegates were able to understand that for defence sites, a network of management contracts has been established covering both operational sites, such as AWE, and those sites being decommissioned.
This meeting gave the delegates an opportunity to hear from the decommissioning and clean-up strategies and opportunities within current projects. Speakers included NDA, Magnox north and AWE.
Presentation downloads
Workshop flyer l Workshop
report l NDA l
Magnox North l
AWE
Currently
DEFRA is undertaking a review of the exemption orders for radioactive substances.
These orders provide either conditional or unconditional exemption from the
authorisation or registration requirements of the Radioactive Substances Act
(93) either for certain substances or for certain uses.
Although there are 19 such existing exemption orders, there are two that are
particularly relevant to the management of contaminated land and decommissioning
wastes. These are the Substances of Low Activity (SOLA) exemption order and
the Phosphatic Substances, Rare Earths etc (PSRE) exemption order.
This meeting provided delegates the opportunity to comment on the exemption
order options considering the practicalities on their projects. Speakers will
include Defra, Environment Agency and a representative of the Clearance and
Exemptions Working Group (CEWG).
Presentation downloads
Workshop flyer (pdf) |
Event note (pdf) l Chris
Wilson (DEFRA) | Bob
Russ (EA) | Alan
Fisher CEWG representative
This workshop was designed to communicate the key technical, regulatory
and organisational developments on the SAFEGROUNDS guidance documents. It
provided insights into the key issues being debated by the site owners, operators
regulators and NGOs.
There
were two facilitated discussion sessions enabling delegates to contribute
towards the Site Characterisation or Options Comparison document. Captured
lessons gained from the experience of the SAFESPUR members will be considered
in the revision of the guidance.
Available downloads:
Workshop flyer | Event
note | Sean
Amos (AWE) | Philippa
Towler (Enviros) Site Characterisation | James
Penfold (Quintessa) | Philippa
Towler (Enviros) Land Management Guidance
In the UK there is a move towards making safety assessments, safety cases and regulatory reviews for new nuclear facilities more widely available to stakeholders, particularly those for new radioactive waste disposal facilities. This workshop enabled members to engage into presentations from the NDA, Environmental Agency, Risk Management Solutions and Faulkland Associates, which is now available below. A facilitated discussion provided an opportunity for delegates to discuss the drivers, challenges and mechanisms for successful communication in this context.
Presentation downloads:
Workshop flyer | Event
note | Jon Phillips
(NDA) | Bob Ward (Risk
Management Solutions) + mock
interview| David
Collier (Faulkland Associates) .
This workshop explored the commercial opportunities of partnering with overseas
organisations with a particular focus on addressing skills gaps. By attending
members were able to equip their company to develop strategies to overcome
skills shortages and to gain insights into working with overseas companies.
Presentation downloads:
Workshop flyer | Event
note | Jacobs presentation
l Golder Associates
l Download Studsvik
|
British Nuclear Group
The intention was to have an informal networking evening to enable participants
to share information in a relaxed atmosphere and to introduce a few non-members
to the Forum. The event was held in Ashurst's impressive conference room in
the City of London. (The legal firm are SAFESPUR members and they kindly provided
the facilities free of charge.) An icebreaker exercise, together with free-flowing
chilled beer and wine, resulted in each delegate making contact with all the
others. There was then an informative presentation by AWE's Colin Hunt on
the implementation of the Clearance & Exemptions Working Group (C&EWG)
Code of Practice (CoP).
The CoP, which has now being adopted by all UK nuclear operators, was developed
to provide a common approach to the difficult process of clearance and exemption.
Colin highlighted the business benefits of incorporating the CoP in site practices
and discussed the CEWG's approach to its development (inc. widening interactions
with stakeholders and reviewing content in light of policy and regulatory
changes). CIRIA then provided an update on the work of the SAFEGROUNDS and
SD:SPUR Learning Networks, outlined the next SAFESPUR event (on international
skills) and described its forthcoming nuclear conference. As a result of the
event a number of new companies indicated their intentions to join the Forum.
For more information on the C&EWG please click here.
The NDA outlined the current status of the decommissioning market at its sites, summarised its approach to procurement and competition and discussed the scale and nature of its funding. A key message was that the NDA focuses on results, rather than specifying the solutions to be used at every site. We then heard about the recent experiences of tier two contractors in market.
Several specific issues from those
bidding for work were identified and messages were passed to the NDA about
how these could be resolved. The facilitated discussions covered questions
of how clients could improve their procurement processes and how contractors
could respond to changes in the decommissioning market. This was an extremely
timely and useful event that delegates wanted to follow up.
Presentation downloads
Workshop note | Workshop
flyer l NDA |
Franklin + Andrews
Presentation
The aims were to understand the context, content and practical
implications of the proposed new LLW policy and to identify key messages to
Defra and the devolved administrations (in time for them to be taken into
account as the policy was finalised). We heard from Defra on the proposed
policy's three primary principles* and how it was intended to be a high level
framework that would enable others such as the NDA to provide the LLW management
facilities and routes that would be required. SD:SPUR then explained how its
guidance promoted the application of the waste hierarchy in a proportionate
and risk-informed way. A note summarising the workshop's facilitated
discussions was sent to Defra following the event. Feedback received from
the members was very positive.
* flexibility, a risk-informed approach and minimisation of arisings
Presentation downloads
Workshop note | Workshop flyer
The event gave impetus and direction to the new forum. Participants wanted to support a healthy and competitive contracting market, reduce costs and timescales and overcome the industry's historically-rooted reluctance to share technical innovation. Benefits of the forum were identified as networking, gaining rapid updates on policies and sharing knowledge on regulations, research and technologies.
It would help suppliers influence standards and hold discussions with clients about topics of concern. Members could also enjoy the benefits of the new website as a showcase for their skills and expertise. The SAFESPUR team* delivered a successful inaugural event that the 50 or so participants found to be both useful and enjoyable.
* Andy Thomas (Chairman), Mark Hannan (advisor),
Rhuari Bennett (independent facilitator), Marion Hill (note writer), Mark
Bentley, Jo Facer and Jeff Kersey (CIRIA managers)
Presentation downloads
Workshop note | Workshop flyer