Whistleblower Hotline Established For Saskatchewan's Uranium Workers

Whistleblower Hotline Established For Saskatchewan's Uranium Workers Written by mbcnews
Thursday, 11 October 2012 21:00

A new whistleblower hotline has been set up for workers in Saskatchewan's uranium industry.

The new line is the brainchild of the Committee for Future Generations -- a group that opposes the current dialogue between northern communities and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization about potential storage areas for nuclear waste.

Pat McNamara is a carpenter from BC who came to Saskatchewan a few months ago to help committee members get their message across.

He says, during his time in the province, he has heard from several northerners concerned about safety issues at mine sites -- and that's why the line was set up:

"As a result of all of these people coming forward, we decided that we would set this up anonymously so that people can just send their concerns in -- and then we'll approach the regulatory bodies and the companies on their behalf without them risking their employment."

The number to call is (306) 288-2079.

"At the sites themselves, we have site elders and we have community liaison people who represent the industry in five northern communities. And we also have an anonymous hotline that allows people to register their concerns with the guarantee of anonymity."

Struthers adds they are frequently engaged with northerners through Environmental Quality Committees and the Athabasca Working Group.
http://www.mbcradio.com/index.php/mbc-news/11678-whistleblower-hotline-established-for-saskatchewans-uranium-workers

Anti-nuclear group sets up hotline

Received complaints from miners about health concerns
Reported by Ashley Wills
First Posted: Oct 11, 2012 7:12am | Last Updated: Oct 11, 2012 1:54pm
A hotline has been set up by an anti-nuclear group in Saskatchewan for people to confidentially voice their concerns about uranium mine safety.

"They feel that they can't ask the mining companies the questions, or the regulators, for fear of losing their jobs,” said Pat McNamara, an activist who works with the Committee for Future Generations (CFFG).
The whistle-blower hotline will act as a buffer between employees and companies.

The information that is gathered will be presented to Health Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. If the regulators do not act on the information, CFFG will publicize the issues as much as possible, said McNamara  but we're getting so many complaints and so many concerns raised about it,” he said.

So far, four uranium miners from northern Saskatchewan have used the hotline to ask questions about chest pains they experience on the job.

"Like heartburn that builds up over the days that they're working in the mine, and it gets progressively worse until they go home and then it clears up during their days off,” said McNamara, who has written several books on nuclear safety issues.

He said the miners were not told about the difference between internal and external radiation and the potential harm it can cause. He added that he's seeing high cancer rates in some northern communities right now.
Government has investigation measures in place

"Anytime a worker has a concern, they don't have to raise it with the company," said Neil Crocker, chief inspector of mines for the province.

"Anybody who complains to us, anywhere in the mining industry, we will investigate as soon as we can free an inspector up," he said.

Northern mines also have occupational health and safety committees that field a lot of anonymous complaints and concerns from workers, Crocker said.
awills@rawlco.com
http://www.newstalk650.com/story/anti-nuclear-group-sets-hotline/78948

Comments:  Nice try Spencer and Tubb. Apparently you neglected to read the studies and reports that precede the GMU report. http://www.readthereports.org/, You also fail to mention that there were 42,000 acres under lease for uranium in the 1980s in Pittsylvania County. Virginia Uranium contends Coles Hill is the only viable deposit in VA. But it as state geologist Wm. Lassetter states, "Although Coles Hill is the only known uranium deposit of 'commercial interest,' it’s unknown whether uranium could be developed elsewhere in the state and so regulations must be statewide in nature, he said. Additionally, as Coles Hill is the only “test case” and to make sure the site isn’t unique, a site specific analysis is needed, he said.
I don't much like being part of a "test case". Apparently, other municipalities in VA and NC do not like being part of the experiment either. http://keeptheban.org/?page_id=9  You state, "If developed and applied correctly, regulations will help ensure that uranium is mined safely, that public health is protected..." Did you read the Chmura report which outlines what will happen if regulations are not developed and applied correctly?  Maybe there will be other mines if the ban is lifted. Perhaps you two will be lucky enough to have a mine and mill in your backyard. 

Spencer and Tubb:Virginia can mine uranium safely, responsibl​y (not really, Keep the Ban)


http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/oped/2012/oct/15/tdopin02-spencer-and-tubb-virginia-can-mine-uraniu-ar-2282660/