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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Sellafield radiation alert: Nuclear site part closed | Sellafield radiation alert: Nuclear site part closed |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria has been shut to all but essential staff following "the detection of elevated levels of radioactivity". | The Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria has been shut to all but essential staff following "the detection of elevated levels of radioactivity". |
| Operator Sellafield Ltd said the site would be run at "reduced manning levels today" after radioactivity readings reached above naturally occurring levels. | Operator Sellafield Ltd said the site would be run at "reduced manning levels today" after radioactivity readings reached above naturally occurring levels. |
| In a statement it said: "As a result of a conservative and prudent decision, the Sellafield site is operating normally but with reduced manning levels today. | In a statement it said: "As a result of a conservative and prudent decision, the Sellafield site is operating normally but with reduced manning levels today. |
| "This follows the detection of elevated levels of radioactivity at one of the on-site radiation monitors at the north end of the site. | "This follows the detection of elevated levels of radioactivity at one of the on-site radiation monitors at the north end of the site. |
| "Essential workers only are being asked to report for work. | "Essential workers only are being asked to report for work. |
| "Levels of radioactivity detected are above naturally occurring radiation but well below that which would call for any actions to be taken by the workforce on or off the site. | "Levels of radioactivity detected are above naturally occurring radiation but well below that which would call for any actions to be taken by the workforce on or off the site. |
| "The site is at normal status and employees and operational plants are continuing to operate as investigations continue. All our facilities have positively confirmed there are no abnormal conditions and are operating normally." | "The site is at normal status and employees and operational plants are continuing to operate as investigations continue. All our facilities have positively confirmed there are no abnormal conditions and are operating normally." |
| The director of stakeholder relations Rory O'Neill told the BBC: "One of the 20-odd site perimeter monitors that we have is registering above normal levels of radiation. | The director of stakeholder relations Rory O'Neill told the BBC: "One of the 20-odd site perimeter monitors that we have is registering above normal levels of radiation. |
| "It's not a level that would trigger any kind of activity on or off site. It's below levels that would demand us to do sheltering or anything like that." | "It's not a level that would trigger any kind of activity on or off site. It's below levels that would demand us to do sheltering or anything like that." |
| Prospect, which represents 5,000 nuclear specialists at Sellafield, said the elevated radiation readings were within acceptable limits and were not a danger to human health or to the plant. | |
| National officer Gill Wood said: "Higher than normal radiation readings have been detected at one monitor at a perimeter fence. As a precaution, non-essential staff have been advised to stay at home today while the relevant specialist team investigates. | |
| "The company's decision to partially close some areas at the site is a precautionary and measured decision and a safety measure that is recognised worldwide." | |
| Roads near the site have reportedly been congested, as staff arrive at work and are sent home. | Roads near the site have reportedly been congested, as staff arrive at work and are sent home. |
| One employee at the site said he estimated that thousands of workers were affected by the closure. He said an air sampler on a perimeter fence had detected a problem, which led to staff being told to stay away. | One employee at the site said he estimated that thousands of workers were affected by the closure. He said an air sampler on a perimeter fence had detected a problem, which led to staff being told to stay away. |
| It is understood nothing has been detected inside the plant. | It is understood nothing has been detected inside the plant. |
| More to follow | More to follow |