Safety Workshops

Fukushima

Synopsis

On March 11th 2011 the largest earthquake in the recorded history of Japan triggered a tsunami which killed nearly 16,000 people. The nuclear power station, Fukushima Daiichi was supposedly protected from earthquakes, but its 5.5 metre sea defences were overwhelmed by a 14 metre high wave. The earthquake knocked out the power supply to the station, and the tsunami destroyed all the backup generators. From that moment a brave group of workers at the plant desperately tried to cool the reactors and prevent an even worse disaster. As they searched in the dark through the wreckage they discovered that there was no emergency plan.

This AKT programme explores all the failures of emergency preparedness, regulation, safety leadership and culture which have been highlighted in the damning Japanese Government report into the disaster.

Key Themes

Target Audience

Business Leaders, Senior Managers.

Suitable For

Nuclear.

Excerpt

YOSHIDA:	At least we appear to have a landline.  
		Did you... want to try using it to 
        	call your wife?

OPERATOR 2:	We are not allowed to use it for 
		private calls.

YOSHIDA:	We may have to break a few rules.

OPERATOR 2:	Thank you.  (HE PICKS UP THE PHONE AND DIALS)

YOSHIDA:	May I see the severe accident manual?

OPERATOR 1:	(PASSES IT TO HIM)  I'm sorry sir, I don't 
		know why it seems to be missing some sections.

YOSHIDA:	(FLICKING THROUGH)   This is my fault.   
		I should have checked.  Why did we not....? 
		Chernobyl...

OPERATOR 1:	(ALARMED)  Chernobyl?

YOSHIDA:	At Chernobyl the instruction manuals also had 
		large sections missing.

OPERATOR 1:	Sir this isn't the same as Chernobyl.

OPERATOR 2:	(PUTTING PHONE DOWN)  I can't get a line. 

YOSHIDA:	Do you wish to go and find your wife?

OPERATOR 2:	No sir, I will do what I have to do here.

YOSHIDA:	And you?

OPERATOR 1:	I will stay sir.  We have a duty to prevent... 
		something even worse.

YOSHIDA:	Thank you both.  Then we must do whatever 
		we can.

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