nuclear-news

Safety breaches covered up at Australia’s nuclear reactor

Nuclear safety breaches concern Opposition – ABC Sydney – Australian Broadcasting Corporation February 9, 2011  “……..The Comcare report, which was obtained by the ABC, found the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) under-reported accidents and breached basic safety standards at the reactor.The ABC has also learnt of another incident that left a newly appointed supervisor contaminated………….

The problems at the facility, in Sydney’s south, were first brought to light last year when the former health and safety officer for the organisation’s pharmaceutical production area, ANSTO Health, blew the whistle on a series of safety incidents.

At the time, David Reid, an employee of 30 years, said: “If you don’t follow the safety regulations and the procedures and you don’t investigate when you do have an accident, the accidents are going to get worse and worse and someone’s really going to pay the ultimate price one day.”

The nuclear industry regulator, ARPANSA, backed up Mr Reid’s concerns.

It found serious problems in safety standards and a lack of management awareness about the difficulties and failures at the facility.

Comcare was called in to investigate the incidents. Its report goes further, finding that ANSTO has breached health and safety laws.

ANSTO could be liable for fines of up to $240,000.

Nuclear safety breaches concern Opposition – ABC Sydney – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

February 10, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, safety