[ RadSafe ] Inshurance for Nuclear Workers

[Michael Rennhack]

It's not 'special' insurance because we are nuclear workers.  It is 
insurance for people that don't have it.  Obviously you are not one of the 
thousands that are lacking insurance in this industry.  Good for you. 
Perhaps next time you should read the messages a little closer.

----Original Message Follows----
From: parthasarathy k s <ksparth at yahoo.co.uk>
To: Michael Rennhack <rennhack at hotmail.com>, radsafe at radlab.nl,  
ksparth at yahoo.co.uk
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Inshurance for Nuclear Workers
Date: Sun, 19 Jun 2005 15:53:27 +0100 (BST)

Dear Radsafers,

Michael Rennhack's suggestion of introducing special insurance for workers 
in nuclear industry implies that the profession carries extra risk.Work in 
nuclear industry is no riskier than that in any other profession.It is safer 
than any other industry. Nuclear workers are less exposed occupationally 
than others. The radiation dose generally is of the order of a few mSv. 
Occupational exposures to nuclear workers are thus well within the limits 
prescribed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection 
(ICRP).

All countries have accepted the concept that radiation workers should not be 
extended any special privilege, extra compensation, insurance, special leave 
etc. The IAEA, ILO, WHO, PAHO, NEA/OECD sponsored International Basic Safety 
Standards for Protection agaist Ionizing Radiation and the Safety of 
Radiation Sources clearly enunciates this principle.

Let me hasten to add that in India, radiation workers in medical diagnostic 
x-ray installations in many State owned hospitals are given privileges such 
as an extra month of paid leave; the privilege is not available to radiation 
workers in the hospitals owned by the Central Government.Special insurance 
was not extended  to radiation workers in either State owned or Central 
hospitals

.The privileges were given to radiation workers in State Governements based 
on practices existed in 1930s!. I understand it started with radiation 
workers who handled radium and later extended to other radiation workers.

I believe that those who advocate special insurance to workers in nuclear 
industry knows next to nothing about the safety status of this well 
organised industry. Radiation safety professionals should not support any 
move to extend special privileges to workers in nuclear industry. Obviously 
extending privileges and special compensation must not be a substitute for 
appropriate radiological protection measures.

I was told that many years ago, some managements owning radiation 
installations in India used to give special nurishment containing extra 
proteins and milk to radiation workers to ensure that the "damage" to their 
health due to radiation exposure is repaired promptly! Workers then used to 
believe in the myth! Provision of extra nourishment was probably an ideal 
method to keep excellent industrial relations!

My two cent worth contribution

K.S.Parthasarathy




Michael Rennhack <rennhack at hotmail.com> wrote:
Greetings RadSafers,

I have been approached by MANY people, suggesting that I offer group
insurance for nuclear workers. In recent months, the request has come more
frequently from more sources. I believe that we can work out a deal where
all nuclear workers can get a group rate as NukeWorker members. This rate
should be better than what most companies can offer. In fact, I'm proposing
that while you are working, your company take the money they would normally
pay towards your insurance, and send it to us to cover your plan (pre tax).
Then, when you get laid off, you won't have to worry about cobra, and
setting up new insurance. And you won't have to worry about the different
plans from different companies.

I'll get some rates for different levels of coverage as well. Some people
only want major medical with a large deductible; others want full coverage
with a small deductible. We will offer several options.

What does everyone think? I know less than nothing about insurance, but I
am willing to make this happen, to help everyone out. How many people are
interested in this?

Please visit this link and give us your thoughts:

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php?topic=5697


_______________________________________________
You are currently subscribed to the radsafe mailing list radsafe at radlab.nl

Before posting a message to RadSafe be sure to have read and understood the 
RadSafe rules. These can be found at: 
http://radlab.nl/radsafe/radsaferules.html

For information on how to subscribe or unsubscribe and other settings visit: 
http://radlab.nl/radsafe/


---------------------------------
How much mail storage do you get for free? Yahoo! Mail gives you 1GB!
Get Yahoo! Mail