[ RadSafe ] News article from Belgium: Worker Critical after high radiation dose

[Jim Hardeman]

Colleagues *
 
Does anybody have any additional information about this incident?
 
Jim Hardeman
Jim_Hardeman at dnr.state.ga.us
 
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URL = http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=24&story_id=29065&name=Worker+critical+after+high+radiation+dose
 
Worker critical after high radiation dose
6 April 2006
BRUSSELS * A worker at a Wallonian company who was rushed to a Paris hospital after being exposed to a high dose of radiation is in an acute, life-threatening condition.
The Charleroi man, aged in his 50s, received within 20 seconds 400 times the amount of radiation permitted in one year.
The incident dates back to 11 March and investigations are now being carried out to determine why safety procedures failed.
The man spent 20 seconds in the radiation installation of the Wallonian firm Sterigenics, a Fleurus-based company near Charleroi that sterilises medical equipment.
Three weeks later, the worker reported to the company doctor because his hair started falling out, newspaper 'Het Nieuwsblad' reported on Thursday. 
When doctors confirmed a high level of radiation in his body, the man was rushed to a specialist Paris hospital. 
Company director Patrick Gourmelon said on Wednesday the man is in a "very serious" condition. The man is at risk of developing cancer and there are limited medical treatments available.
Workers usually carry a radiation measuring device and investigations must now determine why the worker or his supervisor did not immediately raise alarm.
"Did the dosage meter not work, was it not examined or did the worker not have it on" the chief of Belgian nuclear watchdog FANC-AFCN, Jean-Paul Samain, said.