The Electrical Trades Union has banned its members from working in uranium mines, nuclear power stations or any other part of the nuclear fuel cycle.

The union says uranium is the new asbestos in the workplace.

The ban will apply to ETU members in Queensland and the Northern Territory and breaching it could lead to expulsion, said ETU state secretary Peter Simpson.

"We are sending a clear message to the industry and the wider community that vested interests in the uranium and nuclear industries are trying to hoodwink us about this dangerous product and industry," Mr Simpson said in a statement.

"Corporate interests, and their political supporters in the Labor and Coalition parties, are also trying to buy working families off with high wages, while denying the true short-term and long-term health risks of such jobs."

The union will launch a video in Brisbane tonight, warning of the dangers of the nuclear industry.

The ETU expects other unions to follow its lead and join its campaign against the uranium and nuclear industries.

Australia has about 20 per cent of the world's known uranium deposits and the largest known deposits of high-grade uranium ore.