Cleanness means comfort
Just like at home, tidiness and cleanness are also at a nuclear power plant important factors affecting comfort.
At TVO, the basic philosophy in all operations is to look after the environment. A well cared for work environment is safe, which for its part contributes to the high quality of the end result and to the smooth performance of work. A tidy and orderly workplace benefits everybody working in Olkiluoto. 
Markku Heponeva is an expert in environmental services and for his part responsible for environmental matters at TVO. – The first priority is to ensure that our operations do not harm people or the environment and the operation of the plant units is safe. We pay special attention to the purity of the process to prevent damage caused by loose parts. A clean process is also more efficient, Mr. Heponeva sums up.
Clear rules for storing and sorting
Various procedures have been developed in Olkiluoto for the management of the abundance of materials. For example, only certain areas are reserved for storing goods, also at the plant units in operation. – The right storage locations are easy to find by means of the colour codes painted on the floors. When we comply with the correct procedures, passageways remain open and all areas in good order. Systematic procedures also help eliminate unnecessary fire loads. In other words, the same principle applies here as at home. Unnecessary fire loads should never be stored in e.g. the garage.
The rules applied to chemicals are just as tight. The storage of chemicals must always be organised appropriately. – We have very particular principles as to the chemicals that may or may not be used on the plant site. All the chemicals used here must have been approved by our laboratory.
Wastes are sorted in Olkiluoto into ten different categories. – Waste from radiation work is a special feature of the power plant, and always handled appropriately. We have specified very low target levels for the amount of waste. Consequently, we always try to use the most advanced recycling possibilities. For an industrial plant, our annual waste amounts are small.
Own laundry and central vacuum cleaners
The clothing and shoe covers worn at the plant units are washed in TVO’s own laundry. – In 2013, we washed 31 830 kg of coveralls and some 226 500 shoe covers needed when working at the plants. The total consumption of detergent was 409 litres.
TVO also uses central vacuum cleaners. The main difference between them and the vacuums used at home is the length of the ducting; a total of ca. 1.5 km. The maintenance building contains separate vacuum cleaners for wood and metal. – The vacuum cleaners are mainly used during annual outages. They are always equipped with pre-filters to keep the ducts as clean as possible.
Mr. Heponeva takes special pride in the greenness of Olkiluoto. – It is nice to admire in the summer the colourful flowers and the lushness of nature. We have focused efforts on plantings and can boast an abundance of them. Nature comes so close you can feel it. 
Central vacuum cleaners are important tools, particularly during annual outages.
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