| Regulatory disclosures 2013 |
| 19 February & 11 March 2011 | Total Sm-153 inventory in Building 23A temporarily exceeded level stated in licence condition due to high irradiation in the OPAL reactor. No safety significance on either occasion. | Notified to ARPANSA |
| 21 February 2013 | On 21 February and 24 February, the PETNET vault access interlock was manually bypassed following failure of the of the vault access interlock radiation monitor. Administrative controls were put into place as mitigation and there were no safety issues during the two runs. The root cause was an inconsistency in procedures which has since been rectified along with a number of other actions. | Notified to ARPANSA |
| 19 April 2013 | Total Mo99 inventory in Building 23A temporarily exceeded level stated in licence condition due to a high yield. No safety significance. | Notified to ARPANSA |
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| Regulatory disclosures 2012 |
| 19 December 2012 | Seven, low hazard, calibration check sources were discovered to have not been listed on the ANSTO Source Inventory list. No safety significance. Sources are now registered. | |
12 October
2012 | A sub-contractor was observed working at heights without appropriate heights safety controls in place. No injuries sustained. No injuries received but reported due to non-compliance with ANSTO procedures. Contractor management reminded of the ANSTO safety requirements and re-communicated to all their staff. | Notified to Comcare |
1 October
2012 | Total I-131 inventory in Building 23A temporarily exceeded level stated in licence condition due to a high-yield production run. No safety significance | Notified to ARPANSA |
25 June
2012 | Worker sustained illness during International flight. ANSTO travel procedures reviewed as a result and no changes were deemed to be required | Notified to Comcare |
4 June
2012 | A worker received a minor shock whilst removing a metal sign due to electrical activation of the wall frame. The activation was caused by white ant damage to the back of a light switch. Repair to the circuit was implemented and ant infestation remediated. | Notified to Comcare |
28 May
2012 | Total Sm-153 inventory in Building 23A temporarily exceeded level stated in licence condition due to a high-yield production run. No safety significance | Notified to ARPANSA |
23 May
2012 | The outer casing of a power cable was damaged during excavation work. No injuries sustained. The cable had been installed several decades earlier and subsequently did not appear on the ANSTO drawings. ANSTO excavation procedures reviewed and updated as a result to reemphasis the need for workers to be aware of cables which may not be detailed on drawings due to their age. | Notified to Comcare |
30 March
2012 | A low-voltage electrical cable was exposed during excavation of a trench for installation of a stormwater pipe. No injury received but reported due to proximity to electrical system. Excavation procedures reviewed and strengthened. | Notified to Comcare |
24 March
2012 | An ANSTO employee suffered head injuries while undertaking recreational activities on an overseas posting. While the injury was not related to work activities, the event was reported as it happened whilst the staff member was on a work placement. Staff member has since returned to posting. Travel procedures to communicate non-work injuries while on work trips reviewed and strengthened. | Notified to Comcare |
9 February
2012 | Sub-contractor noticed to be working on electrical system without required ANSTO approvals. Contractor had just finished an approved job. No injuries received but reported due to non-compliance with ANSTO procedures. Contractor warned that a repeat offence would result in expulsion from site. Approval process for electrical process reviewed and re-communicated to all contractors. | Notified to Comcare |
10 January
2012 | Power supply to a crane was damaged during construction work. Risk mitigation processes were in place and no injuries received but reported due to damage to electrical system. Drawings of electrical systems reviewed and updated. | Notified to Comcare |
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| Regulatory disclosures 2011 |
9 December
2011 | Contractor slipped and fell causing laceration to calf when entering fenced off area on construction site. Contractor sent to hospital for treatment of injury. Safety assessments for construction reviewed and strengthened to further highlight restricted areas. Contractors reminded of restricted areas. | Notified to Comcare |
15 November
2011 | An air ducting cover fell from its position on the roof during the night. No personnel in area at time but reported due to potential for injury. Inspection showed cover had vibrated loose from support. Extra locking screws placed in this and similar units to avoid reoccurrence | Notified to Comcare |
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8 November
2011 | Staff member received splash from stud welder on eye past PPE. Eye immediately washed and no injury received. Investigation reminded that incorrect eyewear was selected for job. Staff reminded of correct PPE and procedures updated to more clearly identify required eye protection. | Notified to Comcare |
12 October
2011 | A small fire in a laboratory waste bin was immediately extinguished. No injuries received. Waste disposal procedures for laboratory updated to reduce likelihood of repeat fire. Refresher training given to laboratory staff on fire fighting. | Notified to Comcare |
10 October
2011 | An active lead to an electromagnet was not reconnected after completion of work. Investigation showed that interlocks operated correctly so no risk of electrocution. Staff reminded of electrical work close out process. | Notified to Comcare |
10 October
2011 | A bottle of 6M sulphuric acid was incorrectly labelled as a decontamination solution leading to staff member using acid for washing of hands. Acid immediately washed off and no injury received. Other wash bottles checked and new decontamination bottles with clearer marking ordered. | Notified to Comcare |
28 September
2011 | A danger tag on a crane rail was removed by a contractor without authorisation leading to second contractor working in area of live rail. No injury but reported due to risk of electrocution. Investigation launched with contractors. | Notified to Comcare |
5 September
2011 | A 30 tonne press was being moved via a mobile crane by a contractor when the load became unstable. Load was immediately lowered to ground, damaging road guttering. Load re-slung and transferred to truck for transport. No one was injured. Safe Work Method Statement provided by contractor reviewed and updated. | Notified to Comcare |
1 August
2011 | An ANSTO staff member was injured when a drill went through a bracket he was holding, injuring his thumb. First aid issued onsite before staff member transported offsite for further medical assistance. Reminder given to staff of hazards associated with power tools. | Notified to Comcare |
29 July
2011 | A ceiling light fell approximately 12 meters from the roof to the ground. No personnel were in the area at the time but reported as a near miss. Other lights in area inspected and heavy duty lanyards installed to prevent reoccurrence. | Notified to Comcare |
21 July
2011 | While inspecting a leaking manifold on a helium bottle, a hose blew off striking a contractor on the hand. No injury received. Hose was removed from service and similar hoses inspected. Manufacturer of hose was notified for investigation. | Notified to Comcare |
4 July
2011 | Two staff members were lowering a trolley to the ground with a rope and manual winch when the rope gave way. Staff were not underneath load so no risk of serious injury but reported as a near miss. While rope was assessed as adequate for the job, it was replaced with a dedicated cable. | Notified to Comcare |
28 June
2011 | A periodic measurement of radiological dose to a staff member produced a higher than normal result, but was still within regulatory limits. Investigation of event revealed that dosimeter had been incorrectly used. Local procedures were reviewed and updated to strengthen correct use of dosimeters. | Notified to ARPANSA |
9 June
2011 | When conducting an inspection of a welding rig, it was noted that the lead was not compliant to the Australian Standard. Rig was immediately tagged out and replaced with compliant equipment before any injuries resulted. Similar equipment was inspected for and verified in compliance with Australian Standard. | Notified to Comcare |
1 June
2011 | Staff member came across a snake when clearing a blocked storm water bund. No injuries resulted. Protective equipment now issued for use when clearing storm water bunds. | Notified to Comcare |
24 May
2011 | Contractor sustained minor injury when a hand power drill he was using slipped and cut his hand. First aid applied and job stopped. Refresher training on power tool safety held for contractors. | Notified to Comcare |
13 May
2011 | Minibus rolled a few meters after hand brake left off. Passenger quickly applied handbrake and there were no injuries. Bus replaced with a new model with automatic transmission. | Notified to Comcare |
12 May
2011 | Contractor sustained minor injuries in a short fall from scaffolding. The job was immediately stopped and scaffolding removed from service. All similar scaffolding reviewed and reminder sent to users on correct use. | Notified to Comcare |
27 April
2011 | Total Mo-99 inventory in Building 23A temporarily exceeded level stated in licence condition by 1% due to a high-yield production run. Material stored for two hours until decayed to below licence level. No safety significance. | Notified to ARPANSA |
| 30 March 2011 | Contractor fell from ladder, resulting in cut to finger. First aid applied. Ladder replaced with more modern design and staff reminded of safety principles for working at heights. | Notified to Comcare |
| 29 March 2011 | Rock thrown from catcher of ride-on mower, breaking window. No injury received. Area cleared of stones and mower service checks upgraded. | Notified to Comcare |
| 14 March 2011 | A Hot Isostatic Press (HIP) was over-pressured resulting in rupture of the can, damage to surrounding furnace and release of heavy metal powder. No injuries received but one staff member noted temporary throat irritation. | Notified to Comcare |
| 5 March 2011 | Electrician identified an old switchboard in non-standard design. No injury received. Switchboard labelled pending review of design. All site electricians made aware of issue. | Notified to Comcare |
| 1 March 2011 | Asbestos discovered when worker cut into a door during renovation work resulting in potential personnel contamination. Area immediately cleared and worker undergoing on-going monitoring as per procedure for potential asbestos contamination. Asbestos register updated and all staff reminded of asbestos risks in renovation work. | Notified to Comcare |
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