Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The High-Radiation Lives and Risks of Nuclear-Nomad Subcontractors

Posted by timothy on from the stop-that-incessant-ticking dept.

Harperdog writes "Gabrielle Hecht has an interesting piece on the subcontracted workers of the nuclear energy industry, in Japan and elsewhere. These workers face far more exposure to radiation than salaried workers; in Japan, 90% of the nuclear workforce is contracted. This is an eye-opening look at a practice that 'carries exceptional risks and implications. And until these are recognized and documented, complex social and physiological realities will continue to be hidden.' A good read, but I would like to know how the Fukushima 50 are doing."

1 of 96 comments (clear)

  1. Translation: by thegarbz · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Translation: Temporary contract workers do work that the plant workers won't do is riskier.

    Let's file that one in the "You don't say!" category. It's like that throughout the entire processing industry. Need to hot tap onto a gas pipeline? Get a contractor. Need to go in a vessel that has an inert atmosphere? Too dangerous, get a contractor.

    Industries are full of contracting companies who exist specifically to absorb high business risk and appear "disposable" to the plant. They are after all not the plant's employees. If they die it won't be "us" who has to pay compensation, it'll be "them".