Arbeitsplätze mit erhöhter Radonkonzentration anmelden

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.

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.

The notification must be accompanied by

• information on the type of workplace and the number of workplaces concerned
• the results of the measurements
• information on the measures taken to reduce the radon-222 activity concentration and the results of a control measurement after implementation of these measures
• the other measures planned to reduce exposure

• Your company's workplaces are located in radon precautionary areas that have elevated radon levels or the type of workplace can lead to an elevated radon concentration
• The measured radon concentration at a workplace exceeds the reference value of 300 becquerels per cubic meter

The competent authority may charge a fee for registration.

Costs are incurred for the use of the measuring equipment of a recognized body and the evaluation of the measurement.

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).

• 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.

• Radiation Protection Act and Radiation Protection Ordinance - In force since December 31, 2018
• Obligation for companies to measure and, if necessary, register workplaces with potentially elevated radon concentrations
• This applies to workplaces in the ground floor or basement in parts of the country with a special radon situation and to particularly exposed workplaces
• Up to and including 2018, there were only regulations for particularly exposed workplaces such as in mines, radon spas and waterworks
• By the end of 2020: federal states to determine in which areas the radon concentration is elevated (radon precautionary areas)
• If radon concentration in the workplace exceeds 300 becquerels per cubic meter: Introduce reduction measures
• If the value exceeds 300 becquerels per cubic meter despite reduction measures: Register workplace
• Responsible: competent state authority

Federal Office for Radiation Protection
P.O. Box 10 01 49
D-38201 Salzgitter

Phone/Telefax

Telephone 030 18333-0
Fax 030 18333-18 85

Contact to the Radiation Protection Register

Federal Office for Radiation Protection
Radiation Protection Register

Ingolstädter Landstraße 1
85764 Oberschleissheim / Neuherberg
Germany

E-mail: ssr@bfs.de

Fax: 030 18333-2415

Responsible state authorities

• Forms: Please ask your competent authority whether forms are available.
• Online procedure possible: no
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: no