Kakrapar workers victims of radiation were not given safety kits

Lack of safety gear led to seven workers at Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant suffering from irradiation. They complained that they were handed only direct radiation dosimeter (DRD) and no hand gloves, anti-radiation suit or masks while painting a tunnel at the power plant.

"We only realised this when the DRD stopped working. It has capacity of 500 MR and we were exposed to radiation in excess of 9,000 MR. We were treated as ordinary labourers even though our workplace was a tunnel inside the nuclear power plant," said Dilesh Chaudhary, one of the workers who is suffering from irradiation.  

The workers informed Lalsinh Chaudhary, contractor at the plant, of the exposure to radiation. He promptly notified higher officials. Power station officials paid no heed to the complaint for 48 hours. It was only when workers stormed the administrative building that they were taken for medical check-up.  

PK Dutta, director, Kakrapar Atomic Power Station admitted that no safety kits except DRD were given to workers. "If DRD is there, no additional safety kits are required. We train workers to leave the premises when DRD stops working or shows high radiation levels. DRD is more effective than gloves or masks as it alerts the person using it," said Dutta.

Meanwhile, all seven workers have decided to boycott work at the power station until their demands are met. They want compensation and proper medical treatment.