Posiva's Operating Policy

Preface

Posiva Oy's main task is the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel generated at the nuclear power plants of Loviisa and Olkiluoto. The next long-term objective in Posiva's operation is the submittal of the application for the construction licence of the final disposal facility by the end of 2012. The investigations carried out, the development of the final disposal technology, the detailed design of the final disposal facility and the construction of the underground characterisation facility ONKALO are all focused on accomplishing this on schedule.

The purpose of Posiva's Integrated Management System (IMS) is to ensure the high quality of activities at all stages of operation. There are many converging points in the management of nuclear and radiation safety, quality, the environment and corporate safety. The management of these sub-areas is in the Integrated Management System combined into a single system. The benefit offered by the system is that it facilitates continuous control of inter-linked processes, combinations of such processes and interactions between them.

The Integrated Management System is described in the Operating Manual that presents the key principles and objectives of Posiva's operation, as well as the organisation of the Company. Operation is based on processes, which at Posiva are divided into main, production and support processes. A more detailed description of Posiva's organisation is presented in the Organisation Manual.

The achievement of the objectives is monitored by indicators that steer the operation. The objectives, on the other hand, are derived from the Company's Strategic Plan and Operating Policy. At all levels of the organisation, the products of operations shall meet the requirements specified for them. The Integrated Management System also allows systematic measures for the measurement and improvement of quality.

Integrated Management System Overview

Purpose of Integrated Management System

At Posiva, the purpose of the Integrated Management System is to ensure that

the objectives are specified on par with the needs of the customers
the entire staff recognises the objectives of their work
operation complies with the objectives and can be traced
operation meets legislative, regulatory and licensing requirements
nuclear and radiation safety is given proper appreciation in operation
the methods of operation are safe
quality control is implemented in a controlled and systematic manner
the management of environmental issues is implemented in a controlled and systematic manner
the operation of suppliers and consultants meets Posiva's requirements
operation complies with SFS-EN ISO 9001, SFS-EN ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards and quidelines given by the Radiation and Safety Authority.

Bases of Integrated Management System

Posiva's Integrated Management System is based on ISO 9001 Quality Standard, ISO 14001 Environmental Standard, OHSAS 18001 Occupational Safety Standard as well as on general principles of corporate safety management. The YVL guidelines of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) and the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are taken into account, as well. The special features and focal areas of Posiva's operation and operating environment have been taken into consideration in the development of the system.

Legislative requirements and the requirements of YVL Guide 1.4 have particularly governed the implementation of ONKALO, as far as functions, structures, materials and systems that influence the safety of the construction of the final disposal facility or the safety of final disposal are concerned.

Integrated Management System structure

Posiva's Integrated Management System consists of

manuals that provide an overview of Posiva's operation,
organisational descriptions,
procedural regulations,
process descriptions, and
methodology and work specifications.

The task descriptions of the organisational units as well as the procedural regulations of permanent teams and projects are presented in the Organisation Manual.

Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement means that the performance of Posiva's nuclear and radiation safety, quality management, environmental protection and corporate safety action is continuously developed as a whole in compliance with the Operating Policy. This includes planning, implementation, monitoring and assessment as well as development of operation.

Operating Policy

The objective of Posiva's operation is to ensure safe, on-time and cost-effective implementation of final disposal of spent nuclear fuel in compliance with the requirements of the shareholders and other interest groups. Posiva is committed to continuous improvement of the activities in conformity with laws and regulations to meet the requirements of environmental protection and of the society. The management of operation and safety is based on a comprehensive and systematic approach.

Posiva's Operating Policy covers the key objectives in terms of nuclear and radiation safety, quality, the environment, corporate safety and occupational safety. The appropriateness and the achievement of the objectives are constantly monitored and used as the basis in the determination of function and task specific objectives.

The Operating Policy defines the goals of operation, shown below divided into four different groups:

Nuclear safety objectives:

Operation aims at safe implementation of nuclear waste management in compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.
Operation aims at introducing and maintaining an operating culture that focuses on the significance of the safety of final disposal, and at applying this culture to all activities.
All risks that could influence the safety of nuclear waste management are identified already at the planning stage of operation.
The personnel acknowledge the significance of their work to nuclear and radiation safety.
The safety criticality of the object is taken into consideration in the dimensioning of quality assurance requirements.

Quality objectives:

Operation is planned, implemented, and developed in a systematic manner to make the achievement of the long-term strategic objectives possible.
Plans are based on the requirements of the customers and adapted to the possibilities and limitations of the operating environment.
Operation follows the plans.
Operation meets the requirements of cost-effectiveness.
Operation produces safe, usable, durable and reliable results.
Decisions, and action based on decisions are taken on time.
Decisions are traceable with all procedures, decisions, investigations, etc. that result in certain solutions verifiable at any time.
The principle of continuous improvement is applied to the operation.
Deviations and problems are reported as soon as they are detected and systematic action is taken to eliminate them.
Competence is maintained and developed.

Environmental objectives:

Operation aims at safe implementation of nuclear waste management with minimum environmental impact.
All risks that could influence the wellbeing of the environment are identified already at the planning stage of operation.
The personnel acknowledge the significance of their work to the environment.

Corporate safety and occupational safety goals:

Operation is based on a zero accident philosophy.
Efforts are focused on maintaining the physical and mental welfare of the personnel.
Measures are in place to ensure daily trouble-free operation at Posiva.
Risk identification and risk management tasks are implemented in a regular and consistent manner.