HSE charges Sellafield Ltd over nuclear exposure incident

London - The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is to prosecute Sellafield Ltd for alleged breaches of health and safety law. This follows HSE's investigation into the exposure of two contractor employees to airborne radioactive contamination on 11 July 2007 at Sellafield Nuclear Licensed Site in Cumbria.

According to the HSE, the contractors were exposed during the decontamination of an area of concrete floor. It alleges that both employees received an internal dose of radiation as a result of this exposure.

Criminal proceedings have been commenced against Sellafield Ltd for an offence of failing to discharge its duty under the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, said a HSE statement. A court date has been fixed for 24 July at Whitehaven Magistrates¹ Court, Catherine Street, Cumbria.