Mumbai, August 22: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) today said the worker at Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), who was exposed to high dose of radiation on July 24, was relieved of radiation work as per administrative procedures although the radiation exposure is unlikely to cause any significant harm to the individual.The worker, belonging to the quality control and inspection section, apparently forgot to switch on the direct radiation reading survey meter while he was performing radiography to test turbine auxiliary systems outside the reactor building of MAPS, AERB secretary, Dr K S Parthasarathy, said.
The worker received a radiation exposure of 151 millsievert (mSv) when he was removing an exposed film and installing the new film, Parthasarathy said, adding that the annual dose limit for radiation workers prescribed by AERB is 30 mSv.
“AERB is viewing the incident seriously and preliminary investigations indicated the exposure took place as the worker did not retract the source into the shielded remotely operable camera prior to replacing the film. It was noted only after processing of his personal dosimeter on August 16,” he said.
“There is an urgent need for indoctrination to avoid such incidents in future as this case has shown that mere training and certification was not enough,” he added. (Agencies)
Source: Chennai Online
Forwarded by: Senthil Kumar Velan