The first year of a program to compensate government nuclear plant workers who became ill as a result of their jobs is now in the books.

The Department of Labor (DOL) says that by the first anniversary of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act, $293 million in compensation payments had been paid to current and former weapons workers or their survivors.

The Act took effect July 31, 2001. It provides for compensation of $150,000 and payment of medical expenses to employees who worked for the Department of Energy and its contractors and subcontractors in the development, testing, and production of nuclear weapons. Radiogenic cancers, beryllium diseases, and chronic silicosis are covered. Qualified survivors of covered employees are also eligible for compensation.

The Department of Labor is the lead agency in administering the program and is assisted by the Departments of Energy, Health and Human Services, and Justice. In marking the first anniversary of the initiative, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao expressed pride in the work done by DOL personnel "to help these men and women who were harmed as a result of their hard work and loyal service to their country." She noted that the workers and their families have "paid a terrible price for their role in preserving our freedom."

DOL says that in the first year it received 31,822 claims associated with 25,781 workers and rendered 6,285 final decisions associated with 5,001 workers.