While the Tokyo Electric Power Company continues the massive task of decommissioning the Fukushim Daiichi nuclear power plant, the company says that working conditions at the plant had improved significantly.
Members of the company's Nuclear Reform Monitoring Committee took note of recent progress in water management and working conditions at the power station that was devastated in March 2011 by a powerful earthquake and the subsequent tsunami that knocked out the plant's back up power supply. The committee also applauded Tepco “for fulfilling the pledge made at the Committee's most recent meeting to intensify its disclosuer of testing and radiation data,” the company said.
Tepco highlighted the following developments in a 24 August statement:
Water treatment was completed for all highly contaminated water that had been stored on site since the accident [earthquake and tsunami event] except for a small amount of residue a the bottom of the storage tanks that will be captured and cleaned as the tanks are dismantled.
By cleaning the contaminated water using seven treatment facilities including advanced liquid processing systems (ALPS), the ambient radiation is expected to be significantly reduced.
Removal of trench water: Highly contaminated water had collected in underground tunnels known as “trenches” connected to Unit 2 and Unit 3 turbine buildings. Removal of this water at Unit 2 was accomplished after successful efforts to fill up the tunnel and the vertical shafts with special liquid cement. The radioactive level of the contaminated water in the trench is very high, so the contaminated water removal is a step forward in reducing the risk of water leakage. (Removal of Unit 3 trench water was completed shortly after the end of the quarter to which this report pertains.)
Improved working conditions: Thanks to reduced levels of radiation, workers at 90 percent of the site can now work without wearing full face masks for both comfort and safety. A new nine-storey rest facility opened on June 1, capable of accommodating 1,200 workers. (Hot meals are now provided from a nearby meal center.)
Further preparations at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa: As part of stronger preventive measures at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station, facilities were enhanced to prevent flooding and enhance fire safety. IAEA’s OSART reviewed those enhancements along with nuclear safety culture and organization management using IAEA’s safety standards.
Progress at Fukushima Daini: While remaining in cold shutdown, it supports Fukushima Daiichi decommissioning from various angles. Industrial safety training was also set up on site to train supervisors and workers.