nuclear-news

TEPCO: Fukushima workers’ lead shields masked radiation readings

Lead shields masked radiation readings up to 30% August 09, 2012 THE ASAHI SHIMBUN Lead radiation shields forced on workers at the stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant to cover their dosimeters masked radiation readings by about 30 percent. Tokyo Electric Power Co., operator of the plant, and Tokyo Energy and Systems Inc., a TEPCO group company, made the admission Aug. 8 after a test.

TES also acknowledged that when lead dosimeter covers were used on
Dec. 1, eight of the subcontractor employees on the premises were
working under illegal temporary staffing arrangements.

The falsification of dosimeter readings was revealed by The Asahi
Shimbun in July.

TES, conceding it was lax about dosimeter control and employment
contract oversight, vowed to take steps to prevent any recurrence.

Officials said the dosimeter covers were created from a
3-millimeter-thick lead plate and used to shield readings among
workers trying to contain the threat of leaking radiation following
the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami last year…..

August 10, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Fukushima 2012, Japan, secrets,lies and civil liberties