Chapter 4

HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTERS

Health and safety dimensions of uranium mining and milling and, indeed, of nuclear activity as a whole, are of paramount importance. In the post-Second World War period, health and safety has become a subject of increasing research, international consultations and systematic regulation at mines, mills and other industry locations.

These health and safety concerns fall into two categories: First, those which are largely specific to the nuclear industry, especially hazards due to ionising radiation from uranium and its decay products. These include lung cancer occurring ten to fifty years later due to internal exposure to alpha radiation and other delayed cancers and genetic effects due to all forms of ionising radiation. The radiation hazard exists at both underground and open cut mines but is greater at underground mines.

Secondly, there are other acute and chronic hazards associated with hard rock mining in general, open cut and underground. These hazards include explosions; fire; accidental injury; acute inhalation accidents; chronic silicosis and lung cancer risk due to quartz exposure; noise-induced deafness; hazards due to vibration; diesel fumes; chemical hazards; acute and chronic respitory disease; skin diseases due to solvent, oil and grease exposures; hazards due to heat and humidity; and possible hazards due to non-ionising radiation at power, radio and laser frequency, including both acute and long-term effects (J. Leigh, "Occupational Health and Safety in Uranium Mining and Milling", 1997, 1).

The hazards due to ionising radiation were of most concern to those lodging submissions with the Committee and they constitute the principal matter addressed in this chapter.

At present much interest centres on Australia's adoption in June 1995 of new radiation dose limits published by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission after recommendation by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The new limits are an occupational dose limit of 20 milliSieverts per year averaged over a period of five consecutive years with a maximum of 50 milliSieverts in any one year, and a corresponding public limit of one milliSievert per year.

The Committee has two terms of reference relating to health and safety matters. Term of reference (c) concerns the health and safety of employees at mining and milling sites, and of workers involved in the transport and handling of uranium and uranium waste. Term of reference (d) covers health and safety of communities adjacent to mine and mill sites and communities on existing or planned transport routes for uranium ore and uranium waste.

In this chapter, the Committee first outlines the framework for overseeing health and safety matters in or affected by uranium mining and milling. Radiation questions are then addressed. Thirdly, the health and safety performance of the mines is reviewed. In conclusion, health and safety impacts of uranium mining and milling on affected communities are surveyed.