Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

In Focus: Radiation Protection at Works Relating to TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Press release

22 December 2011
Industrial Health Division
Occupational Safety and Health Department
Labour Standards Bureau

A ministerial ordinance for preventing radiation hazards of workers engaged in the decontamination works was published, and its guidelines were formulated.

Today, Ordinance on Prevention of Ionizing Radiation Hazards at Works to Decontaminate Soil and Wastes Contaminated by Radioactive Materials Resulting from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Related Works (hereafter referred to as “the Ionizing Radiation Ordinance for Decontamination”) and a related notice from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare were disseminated, and will be put into effect on 1 January 2012. In addition, guidelines for preventing radiation hazards of workers engaged in decontamination works were also formulated.

In these guidelines, together with the Ionizing Radiation Ordinance for Decontamination, provisions specified in the Ionizing Radiation Ordinance for Decontamination and actions desirable for the employers to take are shown in an integrated manner for preventing radiation hazards of workers engaged in the decontamination works. The points below are specified to be taken as radiation hazard prevention measures in the special decontamination areas and intensive contamination survey areas, as specified in the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Handling of Radioactive Pollution.

  1. Identification of personnel to whom radiation dose need to be controlled and how to control the measured radiation dose
  2. Measures to reduce radiation exposure
  3. Measures to minimize contamination and prevent internal exposure
  4. Educational training program for workers
  5. Actions for health care
  6. Safety and health control system, etc.

It should be noted that the guidelines are also expected to be useful for local residents or volunteers, though its original purpose was to ensure the safety of workers engaged in decontamination works, or works under a designated dose rate. In addition, a textbook for special education for workers as specified in the Ionizing Radiation Ordinance for Decontamination was also prepared, and Labour Bureaus have training seminars for employers in the relevant eight prefectures (See Annex 3).