This ordinance specifies actions to be taken by the employer to prevent radiation exposure of workers who are engaged in decontamination of soil, collection of removed soil/waste in areas contaminated by radioactive materials released from the accident in the Nuclear Power Plants. Actions are largely divided into three types as follows:

1. Actions to reduce radiation exposure
   
   • The radiation exposure dose limit for the workers should be 100 mSv for five years, and should not exceed 50 mSv for any one year (* it should not exceed 5 mSv for three month for potentially pregnant workers)
   • In areas where ambient dose rate could be higher than 2.5µSv/h (equivalent to 5 mSv/y)*, the external exposure dose should be measured with a personal dosimeter (it should be noted that, in areas where ambient dose rate is in the range of 0.23µSv/h – 2.5µSv/h (1 mSv – 5 mSv/y), simple methods of measurement may be acceptable.)
     * It almost corresponds to areas that cover deliberate evacuation area and restricted area.
   • Measured data should be kept for 30 years*, as well as notified to the worker
     *: After 5 years of storage, the data may be transferred to the organization assigned by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.
   • The decontamination should be started after measuring ambient dose rate, and conducted under the direction of a work leader in accordance with the work plan. The decontamination in areas where the ambient dose rate is higher than 2.5µSv/h, in particular, requires submitting a work notice to the responsible Labour Standards Inspection Office.


2. Actions to prevent spread of contamination
   
   • When dust containing a high concentration of radiocesium may be generated, dispersion of soil should be prevented by moistening the soil. When involving soil with high radioactivity concentration or high concentration of dust may be generated, workers should wear a proper respirator and protective clothes.
   • Removed soil should be stored in a container that meets a certain requirement* and access to the container should be restricted.
     * With no risk of dispersal or leak of removed soil, etc. and dose equivalent rate of 1 cm at 1 m from the container surface should be 0.1 mSv/h or less.
   • Smoking, drinking or eating in working areas that may have a risk of inhalation of radioactive material should be prohibited.
   • Set up a contamination inspection area where contamination surveys are conducted for body and clothes of workers.


3. Education and health care of workers
   
   • Education should be provided to workers who will be engaged in the decontamination work with respect to radiation effect, radiation dose control, working methods, etc.
   • Special medical examination should be provided to workers when they are employed, their jobs are changed, and once every six months. The record of the health examinations implemented for each worker should be kept for 30 years* and notified to each worker. When any radiation hazards should be found in the medical examination, some consideration in their work should be made, such as a change of work place.
     *: After 5 years of storage, the data may be transferred to the organization assigned by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.
   • When the workers should leave the job or the companies should be withdrawn from the decontamination business, the records of radiation exposure doses of the workers and their individual medical examination card should be delivered to the organization assigned by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and copies to the workers.
   • The results of periodical special medical examination should be reported to the Labour Standards Inspection Office concerned.