Antinuclear

Bullying, cover-ups, safety lapses at Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation

Science Minister Kim Carr said last week that the issues raised in the Comcare report were serious enough to warrant the launch of an independent inquiry into practices at ANSTO,

Lucas Heights nuclear reactor staff ‘bullied over safety concerns’ Amos Aikman and Leigh Dayton The Australian * February 28, 2011 At least six employees of Australia’s only nuclear reactor claim they were bullied by management and, in some cases, suspended from work after expressing concern about the safety of the plant’s operations.

Workplace regulator Comcare confirmed it had received submissions from three workers at the Lucas Heights plant in Sydney’s south, operated by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. “Comcare can confirm that investigations are underway into claims that three ANSTO employees were stepped down after raising safety concerns against ANSTO.

The investigations are in their preliminary stages,” a spokesman said.The Australian understands at least two more workers are preparing complaints in addition to those made by whistleblower David Reid, who went public last May with accusations of safety breaches, cover-ups and bullying. Mr Reid is suspended on full pay.
A spokeswoman for ANSTO said the organisation was unaware of the new complaints and declined to make further comment.
………………..Science Minister Kim Carr said last week that the issues raised in the Comcare report were serious enough to warrant the launch of an independent inquiry into practices at ANSTO, chaired by department secretary Mark Patterson. Senator Carr yesterday announced the appoi appointment of Professor Paul Greenfield as ANSTO chairman.

Lucas Heights nuclear reactor staff ‘bullied over safety concerns’ | The Australian

March 1, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, civil liberties | civil liberties