A nuclear flash at the JCO company’s Tokaimura nuclear plant on 30 September 1999 resulted in the deaths of two inexperienced workers [see ALU 32 for details]
The JCO Tokai plant employed 120 people. In this facility, uranium was re-processed, and supplied to fuel makers. Apart from being a rare specialist in nuclear material, the facility is one of many medium- or small- sized chemical plants.