原発作業員 工程表に「人」の支援も

(Mainichi Japan) April 21, 2011
TEPCO should incorporate measures to support workers in nuke plant roadmap
社説：原発作業員　工程表に「人」の支援も

The Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, hit hard by a massive tsunami generated by the March 11 earthquake, has managed to avoid catastrophe thanks to the efforts of workers who are trying hard to place the power station under control.
　福島第１原発がなんとか事態の悪化を免れているのは、現場で必死の作業をしている人々のおかげだ。

More than 40 days have passed since the plant was hit by the disaster, and workers' fatigue and stress have certainly reached an alarming level.
事故発生から４０日を過ぎ、彼らの疲れもストレスも、ぎりぎりのところまで高まっているに違いない。

It is expected to take six to nine months before the plant can be placed under control, according to a roadmap released earlier this week by its operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO).
　東電が今週公表した工程表では、原発が一定の安定を保つ「冷温停止」までに６～９カ月かかるという。

However, it is feared that the work will actually take far longer.
しかし、実際にはもっと長期間かかる可能性が高い。

Photos taken by remote-controlled robots illustrate severe conditions in the buildings housing the crippled reactors.
ロボットを使った建屋の撮影などでも厳しい環境が改めて明らかになっている。

Many of the workers are crying out for help.
　こうした状況の中で一歩ずつ歩みを進めていくには、現場で作業する人々への支援がなにより大事だ。
しかし、現場から聞こえてくるのは胸の痛むような実態だ。

It is extremely important for TEPCO and the government to step up support for employees who are working hard under such severe conditions.
東京電力や政府は、もっと強力な支援体制作りを急がなくてはいけない。

A doctor who inspected TEPCO employees working at the plant has revealed that they are forced to sleep at a gymnasium attached to the Fukushima No. 2 Nuclear Power Plant after working at the No. 1 plant.
　東電社員を現場で診察した産業医によると、福島第１で作業を終えた人は第２原発の体育館で雑魚寝している。

They cannot take a bath everyday and eat mostly canned and instant food.
入浴できる日も限られ、食事は缶詰やレトルトが中心だという。

Furthermore, many of them have been evacuated from their home situated in disaster-hit areas or had their residences damaged, and are mentally distressed.
自らが被災者の人も多く、精神的にも厳しい状況に置かれている。


TEPCO subcontract workers are also engaged in efforts to place the crippled plant under control.
　現場では下請け会社の人々も働く。

The company should ensure that all its workers have proper food and can take a bath on a daily basis, and that they can receive mental care.
すべての人に、食事や入浴といった基本的生活に加え、心理面のケアを提供してほしい。

A system should be created to allow workers to receive treatment from mental health specialists.
誰もが産業医の診察を受けられる体制も必要だ。

The severity of the labor that the workers are engaged in while being dressed in sealed-up protective gear is beyond imagination.
　目張りした防護服に身を包んでの作業の厳しさも並大抵ではない。

The rainy season will begin in June, which will be followed by summer.
これから梅雨に入り、その後には夏がくる。

An urgent task is to consider how work can be carried out in a suitable manner that reflects the climate and seasons.
気候に合わせた作業の在り方の検討も急を要する。

It is the job of TEPCO management as well as its task force to implement measures to improve the working environment for the workers.
　こうした体制作りは、東電本社や対策本部の仕事だ。

They must promptly take action before the workers start making demands.
現場からの要求を待つのではなく、先回りして手を打っていかなくてはいけない。

The lack of management's understanding of the working environment at the plant could lead to a blunder or a delay in the work.
現場に対する想像力の欠如は、作業のミスや停滞につながる。

Even after TEPCO manages to place the plant under control, it does not mean an end to the work.
　原発を冷温停止に持ち込めても、作業は終わらない。

It will take many years to decontaminate the facility and remove radioactive substances and fuel from the plant.
施設の除染や放射性廃棄物の撤去、燃料の取り出しなどに長い年月がかかる。

Similar work lasted for 14 years following the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant crisis that occurred in the United States in 1979.
　７９年に米国で起きたスリーマイル島原発事故では、こうした作業が終わるまでに１４年かかった。

It is anticipated the work at the Fukushima plant will take longer.
福島第１ではさらに長くかかるだろう。

Considering the need to secure help from skilled workers, it is necessary to monitor the level of radiation exposure.
　長期にわたって熟練した作業員の力を借りる必要があることを思えば、放射線管理も注意深く行わなくてはいけない。

It must be ensured that all workers carry dosimeters.
被ばく量を測る線量計が個人個人に行きわたらないようなことがあってはならない。

If the work is prolonged, the power supplier will be forced to suspend workers at the plant one after another to prevent them from being exposed to radiation in excess of the legal limit, causing a serious shortage of personnel. 　作業が長引けば、被ばく量が限度を超える人が続出し、人手が足りなくなることもありうる。

To avoid such a situation, TEPCO must work out a plan on personnel management from a long-term perspective. そうしたことがないよう、長期的視点で計画を立てるべきだ。

It may also have to train new workers.
新たに人材を育成する必要もあるかもしれない。

TEPCO's roadmap only mentions equipment at the plant.
　工程表には設備のことしか書かれていない。

However, it is human resources that will place the plant under control.
しかし、事故を収束させるのは人だ。

Therefore, measures to extend support for workers should be incorporated in the roadmap.
作業員の支援は工程表に盛り込んでしかるべきだ。

毎日新聞　2011年4月21日　東京朝刊