Ex-Fukushima worker says ?duct tape, wire nets? used to repair leaking radioactive water tanks
Jan 06, 2014 John Hofilena Features, National
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A former employee in the facility has come out saying that one of the reasons for the leaks may be the cost-cutting measures being applied by TEPCO, such as using duct tape and wire nets to mend the leaking tanks.
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The 48 year old former TEPCO employee said that in October 2012, Uechi was given a task to cover five or six storage tanks which were missing lids. Uechi said that he was instructed to use only four bolts on the lid that required eight. Adhesive tape was then applied to the other holes. ?I couldn?t believe that such slipshod work was being done, even if it was part of stopgap measures,? Uechi said.
Uechi also pointed to other cost-cutting measures, such as the use of wire nets instead of reinforcing steel bars during the placement of concrete for storage tank foundations. Also, waterproof sheets of plastic were used the joints of these cylindrical tanks to save on the sealing agent. When the tanks were exposed to daily weather, the sealing effect would be reduced, which may in turn have contributed to the many leaks reported at the facility...
