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Regulatory disclosures

The matters listed on this regulatory disclosures page and related pages are disclosed in the public interest consistent with ANSTO’s stated aims of transparency in the provision of information on operational matters.

The matters listed below include safety-related incidents that occurred during the current calendar year, which are either a regulatory licence breach or are regarded as significant to ANSTO and our employees. For earlier years, please visit the following pages:

Find out more about the regulations governing ANSTO.

Regulatory disclosures: 2011

Date

Incident

Action

9 Dec 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 Nov 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
8 Nov 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 Oct 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 Oct 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 Oct 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 Sept 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 Sept 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 Aug 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.  Confirmed not a breach on 19 Oct 2011.
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 stormwater bund.  No injuries resulted.  Protective equipment now issued for use when clearing stormwater 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 break 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 Apr 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 Mar 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 Mar 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 Mar 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 Mar 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 Mar 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
Note: This information will be updated progressively. Historic incidents will be reviewed to ensure accurate presentation of fact.
Last updated: 23 December 2011

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