Public and worker safety
Safety in the deep geological repository
During the placement of used fuel bundles in the repository, workers and the public will be protected through a robust design. This includes, for example, use of thick shielding, monitored ventilation systems, and minimizing the extent to which the bundles are lifted.
Once the used fuel has been placed in the repository, the repository's multiple-barrier system will ensure ongoing safety to the public and workers over the long term.
Safety during transport
Although still in the early stages of transportation planning, we have conducted assessments of potential radiation risk to the public and workers during shipment by both road and rail. Studies showed that the potential exposure to radiation for both the public and workers during transportation is well below the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulatory limit and the radiation dose received from natural sources.
Confidence in safety
In 2022 we published a Confidence in Safety report for the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and Township of Ignace area, which was updated in 2024.
The report is based on years of research and fieldwork and summarizes the NWMO’s understanding of the siting area, including geological characteristics that indicate it can meet the project’s requirements to contain and isolate used nuclear fuel to protect people and the environment.
Additional studies will be undertaken to further inform the repository design and long-term safety case.
