Nuclear Servitude

Acknowledgments


Preface


1. The Effects of Ionizing Radiation: Questioning the Current Model
2. Maintenance, Sub-Contracting, Job Instability and Uncertainty, and Radiation Protection: How Are They Evolving?
Conclusion


Introduction
The “Underside”? “Outside” Workers?
Industrial Risk Management and Social Relations in the Workplace
Research Methodology and Procedure


Part I: Working Under the Threat of Exposure to Ionizing Radiation


CHAPTER 1: Three Nuclear Industry Maintenance Jobs


Valve-and-Pipe Mechanics
Non-Destructive Equipment Inspection Specialists
“Nuclear Servitude” Workers
Conclusion


CHAPTER 2: The Social Division of Labor and Radiation Dose
Social and Labor Relations
Strategies for the Social Division of Labor and Radiation Doses
Managing Employment by Dose: What Maneuvering Room Do Outside Workers Have?
Conclusion


CHAPTER 3: Triple Flexibility
Job Flexibility
Work-Hour Flexibility
Flexibility in Family Life
Conclusion


Part II: Sources of Legitimacy: Competitiveness, Safety, Radiation Protection


CHAPTER 4: Competitiveness, Quality, Safety
Getting to the Sources of Productivity and Competitiveness
The Quality-Safety Policy and Risk-Prevention
Quality Assurance and ISO Standards: Rationalizing Production of Goods and Services
Conclusion


CHAPTER 5: Organization of Radiation Protection for Nuclear Industry Workers: Rules, Norms, Practices
ICRP Recommendations: The Keystone of Radiation Protection
Principles of Protecting Workers Against the Dangers of Ionizing Radiation in French and European Union Legislation
In Practice: Weakened Dosimetric Follow-Up and Managing Job Assignments by Dose. The Role of the CNIL (National Commission on Electronic Information and Personal Freedoms)
Conclusion


Part III: What Repercussions on Workers Health and Nuclear Safety?


CHAPTER 6: The Health of "Outside" Employees Doing Maintenance Work in Nuclear Power Plant Controlled Zones
The Debate on Effects of Low Doses of Ionizing Radiation
Protracted Following of Subcontracted DATR Employees in the Nuclear Industry
Structural Logic Linking Health Damage to Work Organization; Premature Deaths
Conclusion


CHAPTER 7: Safety of Nuclear Facilities or Obliteration of “Traces”?
Reduced Safety Margins
The Social Division of Labor and Radiation Dose Imperils Safety
Incidents Reveal Contradictions
Headlong Flight: How Far and with What Consequences?
Conclusion


Conclusion
Work Is at the Core of Nuclear Energy Production
Public Health Issues
Recommendations for New Research


Bibliography


Glossary


Index