Occupational Health, Industrial, Radiation, and Environmental Safety

Occupational Health, Industrial, Radiation, and Environmental Safety

The Joint Stock Company (JSC) "Joint Venture 'ZARECHNOYE'" conducts its operational activities in strict compliance with the Policy of JSC NAC "Kazatomprom" in the field of occupational health and safety, industrial, nuclear and radiation safety, as well as environmental protection.

The management system is based on the principle of prioritizing the safety of employees' lives and health, ensuring reliable protection of the population, and minimizing negative impact on the environment.

Key Principles of Safety Activities

The Company's activities are built on the basis of the unconditional observance of the principles of the JSC NAC "Kazatomprom" Policy, which include:

  • ensuring the health and safety of all employees of the Company and contractor organizations;
  • guaranteeing the safety of persons involved in the Company's activities;
  • continuous improvement of the occupational health and industrial safety management system;
  • strict compliance with the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and international standards;
  • maintaining ecological balance and preserving natural ecosystems in the areas where production facilities are located.

Long-term Goals of the Company in the field of occupational health and industrial safety.

JSC "JV 'ZARECHNOYE'" defines strategic goals aimed at ensuring safe working conditions and improving the safety culture:

  • Maintaining a zero level of occupational injuries (or maintaining zero production-related injuries);
  • Preventing radiation accidents and exceeding established personnel exposure doses;
  • Excluding cases of exceeding permissible levels of environmental impact;
  • Developing and implementing systems for reporting violations and stimulating open communication (Speak-up culture);
  • Forming a high level of occupational safety culture based on the responsibility of every employee.

Comprehensive approach to safety.

In accordance with the requirements of the current legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as licensing and contractual subsoil use obligations, the Company implements a set of measures, including:

          • Ensuring the radiation safety of facilities, personnel and the population;

          • Industrial and operational safety;

          • sanitary and hygienic measures;

          • Fire safety;

          • Environmental protection and rational use of natural resources;

          • Occupational health and safety and enhancing personnel competence.

Implemented measures in the field of safety.

Industrial Safety

A set of technical and organizational measures is implemented annually, aimed at preventing occupational injuries and improving equipment reliability:

  • Deactivation and decontamination of the storage tank farm at the ISL mine (In-Situ Leaching) and the transshipment base;
  • Organization of first aid posts in new blocks of hydraulic engineering structures (HES);
  • Technical inspection of buildings and structures operated in an aggressive environment;
  • Implementation of fire prevention measures and monitoring the condition of fire safety systems;
  • Disinfection, disinsection, and deratization of production and amenity premises;
  • Provision of employees with workwear, special footwear, personal protective equipment (PPE), and special nutrition;
  • Acquisition of medicines and regular replenishment of first aid kits;
  • Conducting annual and routine prophylactic medical examinations for employees.

To prevent production incidents and enhance safety control, a video analytics system (VAS) has been implemented, including:

  • Automatic detection and fixation of hazardous zones and lines;
  • Control of the presence of personal protective equipment (PPE) among employees;
  • Operational response to violations of safety requirements;
  • Analysis of video data to prevent accidents.

This system contributes to creating safe working conditions and strengthening the culture of industrial discipline.

In addition to the Video Analytics System (VAS), JSC "JV 'ZARECHNOYE'" has implemented an Automated Medical Examination System (AMES), designed for conducting pre-shift and post-shift medical examinations of employees.

AMES provides:

  • Automatic employee identification (using a card, pass, or biometric data);
  • Sobriety check using a built-in breathalyzer (or alcotester);
  • Measurement of temperature, blood pressure, and pulse;
  • Recording and transferring data to the electronic database of medical examinations;
  • Identifying signs of fatigue, malaise, and potential health risks.

This system allows for prompt assessment of employees' condition, preventing individuals in a state of alcohol intoxication or feeling unwell from being admitted to work, and also improving the overall level of operational safety.

Environmental Protection

Special attention is paid to the issues of rational environmental management and minimizing environmental impact:

  • Regular removal of solid household waste (SHW) from the ISL mine site, shift camp, and transshipment base area;
  • Removal of industrial and medical waste by specialized organizations;
  • Conducting control measurements of air, water, and soil pollution sources;
  • Development of project and regulatory documentation, obtaining emission permits as needed;
  • Implementation of measures for land reclamation and recultivation.

Radiation Safety

To maintain a high level of radiation safety and control personnel exposure doses, the following is carried out:

  • Removal of solid low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) (THRO in Russian);
  • Individual dosimetric control (IDC) of Category "A" personnel subject to radiation exposure;
  • Verification, calibration, and repair of dosimetric control devices;
  • Renewal of the instrument fleet and implementation of modern measuring equipment.

JSC "JV 'ZARECHNOYE'" consistently develops and improves the integrated management system for Occupational Health, Industrial, Radiation, and Environmental Safety.

The Company's main priority is preserving the lives and health of employees, ensuring safe working conditions, minimizing environmental impact, and sustainable development in accordance with the principles of corporate social responsibility and the Policy of JSC NAC "Kazatomprom".