Nevada Test Site Workers Win OSHA Ruling

Former Nevada Test Site employees seeking compensation for exposure to radioactive and toxic materials might not have to estimate their exposure through costly and time-consuming dose reconstructions.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health is recommending special status for more than 500 workers the benefit of the doubt in their quest for compensation under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program.

The former workers are seeking at least $150,000 each and medical expenses for work-related illnesses.

Approving the special status would mean the workers would only have to show only they worked at the test site between 1963 and 1992 for 250 days and were afflicted by one of the more than 20 cancers covered by the program.