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SDSPUR in May 2010 will showcase case studies on good practices, challenges and opportunities in relation to material management in nuclear decommissioning.
The event will enable information exchange and the sharing of experiences among the audience.
We are looking for case studies that are not only complete but also ongoing and can demonstrate good practice and lessons for others to learn from. The selected case studies will be presented to an audience and provide a forum for discussion. The themes of the case studies are:
Look out for the call for case study abstracts available on the SD:SPUR website soon.
The Environment Agencies’ Requirements Working Group (EARWG) is a nuclear sector inter-industry group comprised of representatives from UK Site Licensed Companies. Their website provides an online publicly available database on best practice for solid, liquid and airborne waste minimisation techniques.
To view the website please click here: www.rwbestpractice.co.uk.
The SD:SPUR project steering group identified that the current SD:SPUR guidance needed to be more practical. The PSG determined that each process box in the “Flow diagram for management of decommissioning wastes and items” in The Good Practice Tools information paper, 2005 needed more detailed guidance, and indicated the initiation of a scoping exercise. Each stage of the flow diagram can be identified below:
The work programme carried out during 2008-09 aimed to identify any gaps in the documents and where current guidance exists. The PSG are scheduled to meet in May 09 to discuss a way forward following the output of four briefing documents.
The SD:SPUR Learning Network is a forum for developing and disseminating good practice guidance on the application of sustainable practices to the management of assets and decommissioning wastes arising from nuclear sites.
CIRIA produces an e-newsletter three times a year to update all stakeholders on any developments with the SD:SPUR Learning Network. Individuals who are interested in the work of SD:SPUR can sign up as a network member.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the SD:SPUR Learning Network please visit www.sdspur.com/membership.htm. Membership is free and as a member you will receive the SD:SPUR newsletter and invitations to participate in future consultations.
SD:SPUR network members consist of wide range of stakeholders, including:
NICoP details the principles, processes and practices that should be used when determining whether an article or material may be released from any further controls on the basis of the legal requirements and radiological protection considerations. Historically, this concept has been termed 'free release' but, because the management of such releases are subject to stringent controls, they are better termed 'controlled clearances'.
Such clearances do, of course, have to meet the requirements of relevant legislation and, ultimately, it is compliance with relevant legislation, rather than the Code of Practice that would be tested. However, it is intended that if the methods described in the document are properly applied, and criteria met, then relevant legislation will be satisfied, and the article or material in question can be released for disposal or re-use without further control.
Given that SD:SPUR are actively involved in sharing good practice for sustainable management of assets or materials, then the Code of Practice is extremely relevant in applying principles to assist in determining whether such assets or materials can in fact be subject to controlled clearance from Nuclear Licensed Sites.
It should be noted that the Code of Practice is kept under constant review, should any interested party have any comments with regard to the NICoP,then please contact the 'Clearance and Exemption Working Group' via their website: http://www.cewg.safety-directors-forum.org/index.html.
Feb 09
TThe SD: SPUR Learning Network is a forum for developing and disseminating good practice guidance on the application of sustainable practices to the management of assets and decommissioning wastes arising from nuclear sites.
CIRIA produces an e-newsletter three times a year to update all stakeholders on any developments with the SD: SPUR Learning Network. Individuals who are interested in the work of SD: SPUR can sign up as a network member.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the SD: SPUR Learning Network please click here. Membership is free and as a member you will receive the SD:SPUR newsletter and invitations to participate in future consultations.
SD: SPUR network members consist of wide range of stakeholders, including:
Following the “Good practice guidance on the application of sustainable practices to the management of decommissioning wastes from nuclear licensed sites” SDSPUR would like to remind readers that the following SD:SPUR Information Papers published in 2007, are available to view free of charge from the SD:SPUR website. Please click here to view the documents listed below:
The SD:SPUR Learning Network has recently published a new information paper on the UK regulatory framework for decommissioning and the management of decommissioning wastes to support the main SD:SPUR guidance. The paper has been developed to provide a factual summary of the key features of the current UK regulatory framework. It focuses primarily on nuclear-licensed sites, but provides some information on other sites where radioactive and non-radioactive wastes may arise during decommissioning.
Click here to download the information paper for free.
Sept 07
The SD:SPUR Learning Network has recently published a new information paper covering six good practice tools that are relevant to the development of strategies, plans and procedures for the management of decommissioning wastes and redundant buildings, plant and equipment on nuclear sites. The papers includes outputs from SD:SPUR, the NDA, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the DTI.
The paper includes:
Click here to download the information paper for free.
Sept 07
On 12 and 13 March 07, SAFEGROUNDS and SD:SPUR Learning Networks held a conference covering the management of contaminated land and decommissioning wastes on nuclear and defence sites. Presentations were given on experiences from sites, the management options available to operators and the latest developments in regulatory and policy frameworks. The underlying themes were the benefits of building stakeholders relationships, effective supply chains and cultures of good practice.
Phil Davies of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority opened the conference with a keynote address on the scale of the challenges facing sites. Other features included a conference dinner where Professor Gordon MacKerron of CORWM delivered a talk on the long-term benefits of building stakeholder relationships. There was also a suppliers’ exhibition and plenty of networking opportunities with people from all perspectives.
The conference programme, presentation slides and summaries can be downloaded by clicking here.
July 07
We are seeking expression of interest for the following project:
SD:SPUR Assessment and Comparison of Options for the Mangement of Decommissioning Wastes-CIRIA Ref 2496
The objective of the project is to carry out a generic assessment and comparison of options for the management of radiologically clean and slight radioactive solid decommissioning wastes.
The project will:
To express interest in this project please email your details to mark.bentley@ciria.org, quoting the project title and CIRIA Ref 2496.
Submitting expression of interest is now closed.
14 June 07
The new UK policy for managing solid low level radioactive waste has been published by the UK Government and the devolved administrations.
The policy, which follows a public consultation in 2006, puts proving public safety at the forefront of dealing with low level radioactive waste (LLW), and sets out a more flexible and pragmatic approach to managing LLW. It also stresses the need to minimise the amount of waste created, and recognises the need to involve the public in developing and authorising LLW management plans. Details of the consultation, including a summary of the comments and Government response, can be found on the Defra website. Please follow this link.
The SAFESPUR Forum held a workshop on the LLW policy in May 2006. A note summarising the workshop’s facilitated discussion was sent to Defra following the event. Click here for further details.
Policy for the Long Term Management of Solid Low Level Radioactive Waste in the United Kingdom, Defra, DTI and the Devolved Administrations - 26 March 2007 (Adobe acrobat format)
02 April 07
The SD:SPUR Learning Network will be producing an information paper on the good practice tools that are available in the UK to assist in the development of strategies, plans and procedures for managing decommissioning wastes and potentially re-usable items on nuclear and defence sites. The paper will deal with radiologically clean, exempt and low activity solid wastes that arise during decommissioning of nuclear and defence sites.
The tools will include: the SD:SPUR guidance, the WRAP quality protocol, the ICE/WRAP demolition protocol, the DTI code of practice on site waste management plans, the Clearance and Exemption Working Group’s code of practice and the NDA guidance for developing Integrated Waste Strategies.
Consultations on initial drafts on this document are due to take place early this year. The paper will be placed on the SD:SPUR website, as a free download.
4 Jan 2007
CIRIA is delighted with the recent increase in numbers of SD:SPUR network members. Since August 2006, thirty-eight new members have registered via the website. Mark Bentley, SD:SPUR Project Manager, said "The network needs to actively engage a wide range of stakeholders to promote and maintain the SD:SPUR guidance and to feed into the development of further supporting documents. Network membership is an important part of this."
Network membership is free and as a member you will receive this regular newsletter and updates on project progress and consultations. To register as a network member please follow this link.
4 Jan 2007
Over 150 stakeholders from all perspectives are expected to attend the SAFEGROUNDS with SD:SPUR conference in London, on 12 & 13 March 2007. Register your place before the 12 February 2007 and receive a 15% discount.
This conference covers the management of contaminated land and decommissioning wastes on nuclear and defence sites. There will be presentations on experiences from sites, the management options available to operators and the latest developments in regulatory and policy frameworks. The underlying themes are the benefits of building stakeholder relationships, effective supply chains and cultures of good practice.
Richard Waite of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will open the conference with a keynote address on the scale of the challenges facing sites. Other features include a conference dinner where Professor Gordon MacKerron of CORWM will deliver a talk on the long-term benefits of building stakeholder relationships.
Click here to download the full conference programme (Adobe acrobat format).
4 Jan 2007
SD:SPUR continues to foster links with stakeholders and related initiatives, including:
5 Jan 2007
The SAFEGROUNDS Learning Network is inviting all stakeholders to participate in a major project to revise its existing guidance documents. Stakeholders are being asked to comment on a plan for, and then participate in, the production of a number of guidance documents.
A principal part of the SAFEGROUNDS Learning Network’s activities is the production and promulgation of good practice guidance on all aspects of the management of contaminated land on nuclear and defence sites. From the start of autumn 2006 until the end of spring 2008 SAFEGROUNDS will be revising all its existing guidance documents and adding some new ones.
To participate click here.
10 Oct 2006
The SAFEGROUNDS and SD:SPUR networks continue to drive good practice on nuclear and defence sites. Key aspects of these will be featured in a conference spanning 12 and 13 March 2006. Over 150 stakeholders from all perspectives are expected to attend and participate in a range of discussion and networking activities. This is definitely one for your diaries.
For more details please visit www.safegrounds.com/conference.htm
15 Sep 2006
The Clearance & Exemption Working Group is holding a one-day seminar on October 5th 2006 in Warrington on Implementation and Experience of the CEWG Nuclear Industry Code of Practice. The aims of this workshop are to find out how businesses have used the CoP to improve waste clearance and to establish whether there are opportunities for improvement with respect to the CoP and with respect to the wider business environment. For more information, please download the flyer for this seminar below.
Download seminar flyer (Adobe acrobat format)
05 September 2006
The SD:SPUR work plan sets out the six main tasks (see below) to be undertaken by the SD:SPUR Learning Network during the current programme (2006/7 Financial Year). These tasks, and their scope, have been developed in consultation with the SD:SPUR Project Steering Group (PSG) and build upon the outcomes of the previous work programme (2005/6 Financial Year).
Task 1: |
Develop key principles that incorporate the diverse range of views within the learning network. |
Task 2: |
Produce practical flow diagrams that support the development and implementation of the SD:SPUR guidance. |
Task 3: |
Produce a regulatory framework paper. |
Task 4: |
Collate summary information to support the comparison of waste management options and techniques. |
Task 5: |
Develop a specification for the update of the SD:SPUR guidance. |
Task 6: |
Develop and implement a plan for engagement with NGOs, CBOs and local site stakeholders. |
To view a copy of the finalised work plan, please click here.
27 July 2006
The PSG have requested that SD:SPUR key principles be developed for the management of assets and decommissioning wastes that incorporate the diverse range of views within the learning network. The agreed key principles will be included in the SD:SPUR guidance when it is updated, allowing for links between the key principles and stages in the asset and waste management process to be made explicit.
In agreeing the key principles it will be important to involve a broad range of stakeholders. This will help to ensure ‘buy-in’ to the SD:SPUR approach going forward. A stakeholder workshop and a period of electronic consultation will be used to discuss them and reach consensus. You can track the development of the key principles and opportunities to comment using the key principles consultation log.
Key principles consultation log
27 July 2006
The PSG have requested that the following practical flow diagrams be produced to support the implementation of the SD:SPUR guidance:
This flow diagram will support sustainable asset and waste management practices by providing clarity on the primary focus of each of these initiatives and by highlighting the inter-relationships between them.
In agreeing the practical flow diagrams it will be important to involve a broad range of stakeholders. This will help to ensure ‘buy-in’ to the SD:SPUR approach going forward. A stakeholder workshop and a period of electronic consultation will be used to discuss them and reach consensus. You can track the development of the key principles and opportunities to comment using the flow diagrams consultation log.
Flow diagrams consultation log
27 July 2006
The NDA Waste Issues Group (WIG) has been set up as a working group of the National Stakeholder Group (NSG) to identify and discuss specific waste management issues and to report back to the NSG. Its purpose is to continuously challenge and advise on Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) strategy and the annual plans by providing information and acting as a sounding board, with a view to influencing NDA thinking. The focus for the WIG is on those social, political and economic drivers that impact on waste management, while recognising the technical content.
CIRIA are representing the SD:SPUR Learning Network on WIG, and at the last meeting provided a brief presentation on the network and its forward work programme, which was well received. A summary of the presentation will be available from the SD:SPUR shortly.
Summary notes from the WIG and NSG can be accessed through the SD:SPUR website.
27 July 2006
As part of the current work programme a stakeholder workshop is planned for October 2006. The workshop will provide stakeholders with the opportunity to input on a range of topics being addressed by the SD:SPUR Learning Network, including:
If you are interested in participating in this stakeholder, please register your interest here.
27 July 2006
Low Level Radiation Campaign |
Richard Bramhall Secretary of the Low Level Radiation Campaign has joined the SD:SPUR steering group. The Low Level Radiation Campaign is an NGO dedicated to publicising the problematic nature of currently accepted models of radiation risk at low dose. |
NDA |
Joanne Fisher, the NDA’s Low Level Waste (LLW) Strategy Manager, has joined the SD:SPUR steering group. |
Oxford Research Group |
Frank Barnaby, Nuclear Issues Consultant to Oxford Research Group (ORG), has joined the SD:SPUR steering group. ORG is an independent non-governmental organisation established in 1982 which seeks to develop effective methods whereby people can bring about positive change on issues of national and international security by non-violent means |
Nuclear Legacy Advisory Forum (NuLeAF) |
Sue Crisp, Nuclear Issues Officer at Cumbria County Council, has joined the SD:SPUR steering group to represent NuLeAF. |
Welsh Anti Nuclear Alliance |
Hugh Richards has suspended his involvement because his organisation is now focusing its attention on the nuclear new-build debate. The steering group passes on its thanks to Hugh for his many positive contributions to SD:SPUR. |
27 July 2006
Letter of thanks received from the Safety Directors' ForumJeff Kersey, CIRIA, gave a well-received presentation about the SD:SPUR Learning Network to members of the Safety Directors' Forum earlier this year. A letter of thanks was received from Peter Webster, chairman of the Safety Directors' Forum and can be viewed by following this link. 14 July 2006
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CIRIA launched its new SAFESPUR Forum to a full house today, at an event entitled Good practice as a commercial differentiator. This was attended by representatives from over 40 different contractor and consultant organisations, all of which are involved or interested in commercial contaminated land management or decommissioning work with clients such as the MOD or the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s Tier 1 contractors.
The forum is of interest to all parts of the nuclear and defence supply and project management chains. Its aim is to promote the business benefits of adopting good practice in commercial projects. In doing this it provides members with links to and from the already well-established SAFEGROUNDS and SD:SPUR Learning Networks and acts as a mechanism for networking and knowledge-sharing on technological and management approaches.
CIRIA’s Jo Facer said: “It was encouraging to see representatives from such a wide range of industry stakeholders at this fully-booked event. There was endorsement of the need to understand the role of good practice as a commercial differentiator and we were delighted in the level of interest expressed in the programme of events being planned.”
For further information about SAFESPUR, visit www.safespur.com or contact Jo Facer at CIRIA, Classic House, 174-180 Old Street, London EC1V 9BP. (T) 020 7549 3300; (E) enquiries@safespur.com
22 March 2006
Membership of the SD:SPUR Learning Network is growing steadily. You can register as a network member online and will receive regular updates on project progress. If you are interested in registering please click here. The SD:SPUR Learning Network is pleased to able to offer free membership.
10 March 2006
A consultation on new policy for the long-term management of solid low level radioactive waste (LLW) in the United Kingdom was initiated on 28 February 2006. The consultation is being carried out by UK Government and the devolved administrations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The new policy is intended to replace the existing policy on LLW set out in the Governments 1995 White Paper, Cm 2919 “Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy: Final Conclusions”. This public consultation follows two stakeholder workshops in April and October 2005 to discuss issues relating to the management of LLW.
The consultation document and the background papers for the stakeholder workshops can be accessed at http://www.peoplescienceandpolicy.com/llw/index.html. The deadline for responses is the 31 May 2006.
10 March 2006
The SD:SPUR and SAFEGROUNDS learning networks are launching a new contractors and consultants good practice group. Contractors and consultants are showing increasing interest in SAFEGROUNDS and SD:SPUR because of the insights they offer into emerging market conditions, particularly the role of good practice in winning work and delivering commercial projects.
In response to demand, CIRIA is forming a contractors and consultants group to regularly bring together commercial organisations interested in sharing practical information and experiences.
Follow this link for more information on the new group and its launch event.
13 January 2006
