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Page added on September 3, 2012
Japanese Nuclear Workers Hid Radiation Exposure, Sometimes Forced
Following the Fukushima nuclear disaster last year, a spotlight has been focused on the nuclear reactors of Japan. While we are still not entirely sure of all of the consequences of this earthquake-triggered catastrophe, or the degree of each consequence, people are beginning to grasp the fact that these plants are not entirely safe (although operators have admitted that radiation levels exceed 1/2 times previously announced). What’s more, regulators and workers at the plants aren’t entirely honest.
According to a report in the online Japanese news source, The Asahi Shimbun, workers in Japan’s nuclear plants frequently hid and lied about radiation levels—putting their lives at risk—if only to keep their jobs.
Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) maintains they had no idea that workers were going to extreme lengths to conceal the radiation levels they were exposed to, but at least 10 workers and former workers have come forward to discuss the practices that kept them working without raising safety concerns.
Frequently, the workers say, they would not wear the dosimeters designed to detect accumulated radiation levels. They would simply leave the safety gear in their cars for the day.
In one case, that occured about a decade ago, one worker testifies that his supervisor instructed him to keep his dosimeter in a lead case on the job site. When the dosimeter was enclosed in this case for the day, rather than on the worker, it registered nearly no radiation exposure. However, when it was worn as intended, the readings were between 0.3 and 0.4 millisievert (about the same amount the average person is exposed to on an annual basis in their food and water).
According to Asahi:
In reflecting on the practices, the man said, “If a worker diligently carried a dosimeter, he would not be able to work because the radiation levels would increase and set off the alarm. I felt it was only natural to place the dosimeters in the lead container.”
“I have no idea how much radiation I was really exposed to,” the man said. “The company also does not allow me to get health checks for cancer. I am very concerned about my health.”
The workers understand the risks of radiation exposure. But they also understand the risks of not working. Many of them have families to feed and without a job to go to on a daily basis, they would go hungry. Rather than rock the boat, the workers do what’s necessary to hide their radiation levels in order to have consistent work.
4 Comments on "Japanese Nuclear Workers Hid Radiation Exposure, Sometimes Forced"
dissident on Mon, 3rd Sep 2012 2:10 pm
The Fukushima disaster destroyed the mystique of Japan’s technological prowess. They didn’t even adjust the plant specifications to conform to local conditions, e.g. having the backup generators on the hill just behind the plant and not in its basement. The basement design might work in the USA but not in Japan.
They also sent unemployed/under-employed workers to clean up with poor equipment. The above article highlights the 3rd world aspect to the clean up operation.
TEPCO was a sinecure for incompetent bureaucrats.
Kenz300 on Mon, 3rd Sep 2012 2:34 pm
The collusion of the nuclear companies, regulators and the politicians needs to end. Nuclear energy is too dangerous and should have had truly independent observers, reporters and regulators that will keep the workers and communities safe .
Ken Nohe on Tue, 4th Sep 2012 2:00 am
10 years ago I still believed that nuclear energy was the answer to our energy problems, not anymore. Fukushima definitely proved that the weak link in the chain was the human factor and that there was no way to circumvent it.
Just as for the financial sector, independent observers or regulators are not possible simply because the field is too technical and complex. Only insiders understand what is going on. In many cases, even management doesn’t know what is going on and keeps mending broken windows after the fact. In other words, manages communication to avoid leaks and disasters of that kind only.
Once you understand that, you are obliged to accept the obvious conclusion: Nuclear energy is too dangerous for purely human reasons. If there is a shortcut, people will find rational reasons to take it. And even if they don’t financial reasons will oblige us the err on the not so safe side. (Such as estimating that a large tsunami occurs only every thousand years or so whereas history shows that they are at least 10 times more frequent.)
This is why 80% of the Japanese are now against nuclear energy and I for once share their concern. Now are they ready to live with the economic consequences? Time will tell.
BillT on Tue, 4th Sep 2012 2:00 pm
Dissident..do you really think it would be any different here? Just because it is “3rd world” does not change the fact that employees everywhere would comply if it meant their jobs.
Keep in mind that a division of GE built these plants. The same GE that also owns and controls most of the media in the US.
We were sold this nuclear package because the government needed them to make the fuel for bombs, not the electric for your homes. “Too cheap to meter” never did happen. It is the most dangerous, expensive energy possible.