Guidelines

In order to remain up to date in terms of occupational health and safety, UGS GmbH undergoes regular audits by independent experts and certification, including SCCP petrochemicals and the employers’ liability insurance association.

For work under mining law (e.g. on drilling sites and underground storage facility construction sites), a special manual – the safety and health protection document (SGD) – is required in Germany. It describes all preventive and administrative measures that must be implemented in order to ensure occupational safety as well as health and environmental protection. This SGD is available at every drilling site and every construction site and forms the basis for all work to be carried out. It is adapted to the local conditions of each site and to the specific nature of the work to be carried out and is supplemented by special requirements specified by the client.

In addition to complying with the legally required occupational health and safety measures, UGS GmbH ensures that illnesses, injuries, fires, and damage to equipment are avoided by acting proactively and preventively.

Senior employees and drilling supervisors are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of their teams and all involved. UGS GmbH also requires all its employees to be willing to exercise self-discipline and to be aware of their own responsibility for maintaining their health and preventing accidents. This is promoted by a targeted incentive system.

When working abroad, the applicable local laws and regulations are taken into account.

UGS GmbH has had a certified quality assurance system according to ISO 9001 since November 1996.

The UGS quality assurance system is detailed in a binding management manual. This manual is updated periodically and forms the basis for audits and certifications.

The quality of deliveries and services by subcontractors is regulated by the management manual and the General Terms and Conditions of Delivery and Service of UGS GmbH – from selection and ordering to assembly on the construction site.

The quality management manual also contains specifications on the proper handling of equipment and products provided by the client.

UGS aims to minimise the negative impact of its business activities on the environment. We are aware that our work entails certain environmental risks.

With this responsibility in mind, we ensure all our work prioritises environmental protection. The following are particularly import to us:

• preventing the release of hazardous substances as a result of accidents
• minimising of waste and properly disposing of waste and pollutants
• carrying out work within the permissible noise exposure limits
• developing anti-accident plans to deal with contingencies that could affect the environment
• All employees are required to understand environmental protection as an integral part of the company’s business activities and to observe, comply with, and enforce the relevant legal provisions, regulations, and standards.
• UGS propagates and practices a resource-saving approach to materials and energy.
• When planning and implementing construction projects, we endeavour to use as little natural soil as possible.
• We take full account of the environmental requirements of our clients.
• Our sub-contractors are required to comply with the legal requirements as well as the environmental standards set by UGS GmbH.

We are committed to reducing our energy consumption in the long term and increasing our energy efficiency in a continual.

In fulfilling our socio-economic responsibility, the preservation of jobs and fair pay are essential. The training of mining technologists, mechatronics engineers, and office clerks is part of our sustainability endeavours and promotes the professional and personal development of the trainees. We make it easier for our employees to combine family and career.

Responsible, forward-looking action and innovation are the best precautions against economic risks. Research and development projects are the key to our long-term successful competitive positioning.

Our commitment to technological leadership strengthens the company’s long-term viability.

We are supporting the energy transition in Germany with our expertise in the storage of large amounts of energy underground. We have a long-standing research co-operation with renowned colleges, universities, and institutes.

For over four decades, we have fostered strong ties with our hometown of Mittenwalde. We therefore participate in the development of civil society to the best of our ability and support charitable and socially orientated initiatives and projects in the city of Mittenwalde.

Because the goods in underground storage facilities are stored deep below the earth’s surface and are generally accessible only via wells, the stored media are well protected against the forces of nature, accidents, and even violent interference.

In the event of an incident occurring above ground, the underground section can be safely sealed off from the rest of the system by automatically closing shut-off valves. The risk that a fire could spread to the underground part of the storage facility or explode is practically non-existent because the access of oxygen is prevented.

During the planning, construction, and operation of the above-ground facilities, all aspects relevant to safety are systematically taken into consideration. These are also part of the operating plans to be submitted to the mining authorities and are taken into consideration both in special technical solutions (monitoring and warning systems, fire extinguishing systems, installation of quick-closing valves) and in action plans for preventing and combating accidents. Remaining risks are assessed with regard to their potential impact, and suitable countermeasures are defined to minimise the risk.