Worker aghast at shoddy work on Fukushima radioactive water storage tanks

[kristopher]

Worker aghast at shoddy work on Fukushima radioactive water storage tanks
January 04, 2014
By MASAKAZU HONDA/ Staff Writer

URUMA, Okinawa Prefecture--Yoshitatsu Uechi recalls with disgust the disregard for worker safety, the makeshift plans and the cost-cutting measures, including the use of adhesive tape on key equipment, at his job last year.

He said an emphasis on saving time and expenses was clear when he helped to build storage tanks for radioactive water accumulating at the site of Japan’s worst-ever nuclear accident.

“I couldn’t believe that such slipshod work was being done, even if it was part of stopgap measures,” Uechi told The Asahi Shimbun.

He was one of 17 workers from Okinawa Prefecture who were sent to the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant on June 28, 2012. The 48-year-old from Uruma said he worked on foundations and storage tank assembly between July 2 and Dec. 6, 2012.

He said he was sent to various places at the site, including “H3,” an area now known as the spot where high radiation levels...

Details follow at http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201401040008

[madokie]

1. Fukishima has definitely confirmed my worse fears about nuclear energy

doing it on the cheap should be illegal if it isn't already. No matter what when it comes to using nuclear energy to make the steam that powers the turbines nothing should be done on the cheap. Nothing should be left to chance either.

I really don't believe there will be much if any increase in the use of nuclear energy in the future. No matter what the feet stompers and rude ones say, it ain't gonna' happen

[FBaggins]

3. Not sure whether I'm a "foot stomper" or "rude one"...

Last edited Wed Jan 8, 2014, 12:53 PM - Edit history (1)

... but you're in for a disappointment if you think there isn't going to be an increase in the use of nuclear energy.

2013 saw more nuclear output than 2012 and four larger units replaced the four that were retired (a 5th new unit went on line four days ago).

More importantly... ten new units began construction during the year... and (as of year end), 16 Japanese units have already applied for restarts.

Quite a few plants are under construction. The only question for the next several years is whether the expansion will be as rapid as the plants that were part of the first rapid expansion in the 70s and are now reaching retirement age.

[AtheistCrusader]

2. What compliance inspector would be willing to go in there and have a look?

I'm guessing the 'disaster' nature of the area means 'no rules', for the most part.

No rules? No penalties? No oversight? Well, what did you expect them to do?