The Compensation Scheme for Radiation-Linked Diseases (CSRLD) is a joint initiative between the UK’s nuclear-sector employers and their trade unions.

The scheme has been in existence for 28 years and the participating employers have expanded since its inception to include: Sellafield Ltd, Springfields Fuels Ltd, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd, Research Sites Restoration Ltd, Urenco (Capenhurst) Ltd, British Energy Generation Ltd, Magnox North Ltd, Magnox South Ltd, the Ministry of Defence, AWE plc, Babcock Marine ( Devonport Royal Dockyard) Ltd, Babcock Marine (Rosyth Royal Dockyard) Ltd, Babcock Marine (Clyde) Ltd, GE Healthcare Ltd, Low Level Waste Repository (Drigg) and other related Specified Companies.

The nuclear-sector employers and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority are fully supportive of the Compensation Scheme which provides nearly complete coverage of the UK nuclear industry employees.

The participating trade unions are the Civil Nuclear Police Federation, the FDA, GMB Union, Public and Commercial Services Union, Prospect, Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians, UNITE and UNISON.

The Scheme received 30 new cases during 2010 with 4 compensation settlements being made this year. There have been almost 1500 cases in total since the Scheme began and compensation totalling £7.15 million paid to claimants in respect of 128 successful claims.

Information about CSRLD is available to interested parties via the internet. The scheme’s website (www.csrld.org.uk) is designed primarily to provide relevant guidance to potential claimants but also provides contact information for those seeking further information. Over the past year the site has continued to receive many regular visits, and has provided the means to initiate a number of claims.

The Compensation Scheme is designed to provide an alternative to legal action for past and present employees of the above companies who have been exposed to radiation during their work and who are subsequently diagnosed to be suffering from cancer or cataracts.

Cases which can be considered under the scheme are assessed by the application of technical criteria jointly agreed between management and trade unions. The applied criteria are more generous to the claimant than those likely to be used for a legal action. The CSRLD contains further generosity in that it awards payments for cases with a causation probability of 20% or above. In a court case a claimant must prove a causation probability of 50% where an ‘all or nothing’ approach based on the balance of probabilities is applied.

The scheme is committed to employ the most up to date best science available as it is on this technical basis that claims are assessed. Following detailed consideration the scheme has adapted its technical basis to adopt the latest scientific knowledge available from the US National Research Council BEIRVII report and supportive data from the UNSCEAR report published in 2009. These reports constituted a major review of the health effects of ionising radiation.

The scheme is currently undertaking a retrospection exercise to consider previous claims in the light of the new available science and new schedules. It is expected that payments to past claimants who may have been previously unsuccessful or disadvantaged under the previous technical basis will be made.

In November 2010 the Redfern Inquiry report into human tissue analysis in UK nuclear facilities was issued. The scheme assisted and co-operated with the Inquiry. The report, stated that the Inquiry had seen no evidence to suggest that organs were removed or analysed for the purpose of the Compensation Scheme. This was a satisfactory result.

An internal review of the scheme was completed in 2009 with a report generated, including recommendations for improvements to deal with a changing nuclear sector and industry. The scheme formed a joint working party of employers and trade unions to consider and take the necessary actions to achieve these improvements. The review was discussed by the Council in December 2010 with the improvements and actions approved.

At the end of 2010 Mr T. Bain retired from the office of Executive Secretary. His replacement from 1 January 2011 will be Mr John E Johnstone who we expect will continue to effectively serve scheme participants.

For further information please contact:-
John E Johnstone
Compensation Scheme Executive Secretary
Sellafield Limited
Seascale
Cumbria CA20 1PG     Tel 019467 74716

13 December 2010