12.26.09
Sellafield Prosecuted for Negligence towards Workers’ Safety
Sellafield Ltd has been heavily fined after two of its workers inhaled toxic dust while working in a nuclear plant owned by the company.
The incident that occurred on 11 July 2007 at Sellafield Nuclear Licensed Site in
Sellafield Ltd was accused with violating Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It was fined £75,000 at Carlisle Crown Court, and was also ordered to pay costs of £26,100.
The incident occurred when a concrete floor was being drilled and removed in a room owned by the company. The floor was heavily contaminated with radiation after a radioactive spillage occurred a few years ago. There was high concentration of plutonium on the floor, and some of the plutonium particles flew off with the dust during the drilling. The contractors inhaled the toxic dust before they were undressed and removed from the room.
The dust was so laden with plutonium that it even triggered a contamination alarm. One of the contractors was found to have substantial contamination on his PVC suit.
The workers however did not develop any health complications following the incident, as the contamination was below statutory dose limits. However, the contamination could have been higher, believes HSE’s Superintending Nuclear Inspector Mark Bassett. Bassett said that Sellafield Ltd should have made proper arrangements for protecting the workers before engaging them in the activity that proved to be a potential health hazard.
Bassett added that in the present case, the risk of exposure to radiation was significantly high, and so Sellafield Ltd should have conducted proper risk assessment and should have carried out the drilling in a more planned and organized manner.
Companies need to be sure that they are giving the correct instructions to employees with regard to health and safety issues. The health and safety consultants from Workplace Law can assist companies in training staff to be aware of the proper health and safety procedures by identifying and improving upon awareness and attitude, and communication about safety to improve the health and safety culture within an organisation.
