New limit for workers official

August 6, 2015

NRA OKs bill to raise exposure limit for workers

Aug. 6, 2015 - Updated 05:16 UTC+2

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20150806_16.html

Japan's nuclear regulators have approved an amendment bill to raise the maximum radiation exposure for nuclear plant workers in emergencies.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority approved on Wednesday a limit up to 250 millisieverts in the event of a severe accident.

The revised bill stipulates that the government basically maintains the current limit of 100 millisieverts.

But it says the limit will be raised up to 250 millisieverts if there's a possibility that radioactive materials could disperse from a nuclear plant to outside of the facility compound.

The bill also requires nuclear plant operators get prior written consent from those who might work in emergencies. The operators must give workers prior education on the health impact of radiation and measures to prevent radiation exposure.

The Authority says it will check whether nuclear power companies are providing workers adequate education on the health risks.

The bill is expected to come into effect in April, 2016.

The approval came based on lessons from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant's accident in 2011. In the accident, many workers were exposed to radiation beyond the government limit of 100 millisieverts.

The government had to temporarily raise the limit for workers to 250 millisieverts as an emergency measure.