23 Jan 2008:
Welding working on the steel framework of the reactor had no welding specifications for an entire year. The contractor responsible for the welding had no qualified welding supervisors at the site. Tests to ensure the quality of the welding were not done. Evidence came to light that critical load-bearing welds had not been done properly.
Finally, after six months, Finland’s nuclear watchdog, OL3’s owners TVO are finally taking action. Finally, after six months ‘improvements are being planned in the safety culture at the construction site’. Finally, after six months ‘employees are being encouraged to report on shortcomings that they find in issues of security and quality’ (they had previously been threatened about speaking out). Finally, after six months TVO are to hold ‘a systematic evaluation of the security culture, including inquiries and interviews at the construction site’.
Is it enough? Finland’s nuclear watchdog STUK isn’t so sure and has been critical of the proposed measures. Language differences between management and workers are still causing communication problems. Proper training on nuclear safety is still not being given to workers. As late as October last year there was still no proper system administering mandatory welding guidelines and to verify the qualifications of welders.
The question must also be asked, what has exactly been going on at Olkiluoto if TVO is only now proposing these measures? What confidence can there be in OL3’s construction?
– from greenpeace