The radiation emitting device manufacturer in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, where a worker exposure accident occurred last November, has been fined a penalty surcharge of 75 million won.
The Nuclear Safety And Security Commission held its 212th meeting on the 24th and noted that it reviewed and voted on administrative measures against the company.
The accident occurred when a worker inspecting the X-ray emitting device proceeded with an internal check without realizing that radiation was being emitted from the equipment. The investigation revealed that the worker conducted tests without disconnecting the power and without verifying whether X-rays were actually being generated during the equipment inspection and disassembly and reassembly process. Additionally, the equipment was in an incomplete state, not a finished goods with complete safety features.
Accordingly, the commission determined that the company violated safety management regulations and permit conditions, deciding to impose a penalty surcharge of 50 million won for a three-month work suspension and another 25 million won.
The company has already paid a fine of 3.2 million won for the worker's exposure, which reached four times the standard limit. The commission explained that the company acknowledged the violation and is developing measures to prevent recurrence.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, the agenda regarding the 'nuclear fuel material processing business permit amendment' related to the change of the nuclear fuel material storage drums at the Ara Research Building, requested by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, was also discussed but decided to be re-submitted for further review.