Register workplaces in regions or in a working environment with increased exposure to radioactive radiation from radon

Source: BUS Rheinland-Pfalz

As a company, you must measure the radon concentration in radon precautionary areas and, since January 2019, register workplaces where the reference value is exceeded despite protective measures.

Radon is a natural decay product from the uranium-radium series that is present everywhere on earth and contributes significantly to natural environmental radioactivity. It is colorless, odorless and tasteless and escapes through cracks and fissures from the ground into the air we breathe and can accumulate indoors. Inhaling it increases the risk of developing lung cancer.

If you are responsible for indoor workplaces, you must have the radon concentration measured within the deadlines specified in the Radiation Protection Act.

This applies to workplaces on ground floors or basements in parts of the country with a particular radon situation. Until the end of 2018, corresponding regulations applied to particularly exposed workplaces such as mines, radon spas or waterworks.

By the end of 2020, the federal states must identify radon precautionary areas; these are areas in which a high radon concentration is to be expected in a considerable number of buildings. The responsible state authority publishes the definition of the radon precautionary areas.

The measurement must be carried out within 18 months of the radon precautionary area being defined and the start of the occupational activity or, in the case of particularly exposed workplaces, after the start of the occupational activity at the workplace.

If the radon concentration at the workplace is more than 300 becquerels per cubic meter, you must initiate measures to reduce the radon concentration. The measures must be implemented within 24 months and the results of a new measurement must be available. Exceptions to this obligation are possible under strict conditions.

If the radon concentration at the workplace cannot be reduced below 300 becquerels per cubic meter despite reduction measures, you must register the workplace with the responsible state authority, estimate the expected radiation dose for employees within a period of six months and take further measures if necessary.

If your company is located in a radon precaution area or has particularly exposed workplaces:

Measure the radon concentration in the rooms of your company over a period of one year.
Obtain measuring devices (dosimeters) from a body recognized by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection.
If the evaluation of the measurement shows a radon concentration that exceeds the reference value of 300 becquerels per cubic meter, measures must be taken in the building to reduce the radon concentration.
Possible measures include sealing openings in areas that come into contact with the ground and sealing between the cellar and living areas, for example cellar doors.
Carry out a new control measurement once the remediation has been completed.
If the radon concentration continues to exceed the reference value, register the affected workplaces with the relevant state authority.
Within six months of the notification, the exposure must be estimated for the affected workplaces. If the assessment shows that the exposure may exceed an effective dose of 6 millisieverts per year, this workplace must be monitored with regard to radiation protection and the exposure of workers must be determined.
If an affected workplace is monitored for radiation protection, you as the employer must register the employees in the radiation protection register of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection as well as with the responsible official measuring authority.

From December 31, 2018, persons for whom entries are made in the BfS radiation protection register will require a unique personal identifier: the so-called radiation protection register number (SSR number).

The radiation protection register (SSR)

If your company is located in a radon precautionary area, you must start measurements to determine the radon concentration at workplaces in basements and first floors so that the results are available within 18 months.
If you have workplaces where increased radon concentrations are to be expected due to the nature of the work area, you must also start so that the results are available within 18 months.
If the reference value is exceeded, you must take reduction measures and carry out new measurements so that the results are available within 24 months.
If the reference value is still exceeded, you must immediately register the workplace with the competent state authority and carry out a dose assessment within six months.

Register workplaces in regions or in a working environment with increased exposure to radioactive radiation from radon

Process flow

Who should I contact?

Competent authority

Requirements

Which documents are required?

What are the fees?

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Legal basis

Appeal

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