After a quarterly progress report from the independent Nuclear Reform Monitoring Committee, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) announced that the company has made progress in processing highly contaminated water with only a small amount remaining to be dealt with. TEPCO was also able to seal the vertical shafts in the trenches, which were the source of some of the most significant leaks to the sea.
As another measure of improvement, workers now only need to wear full face masks at 10% of the Fukushima Daiichi site because of the reduction in ambient radiation, the progress of general cleanup, and management of dust. With less contaminated water on site, ambient radiation levels dropped significantly. The ability to use half face masks also allows cleanup staff to work safely by improving their comfort and vision.
Additionally, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare set new rules intended to maintain worker safety at TEPCO. These include the use of protective equipment, personal radiation dosimeters, the management of radiation dose, measures to prevent contamination, decontamination measures, first aid, and the dangers of working while wearing protective masks and suits.
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