The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has issued an Improvement Notice to Babcock Marine Ltd following an electrical incident while carrying out maintenance onboard a Vanguard Class submarine.
The electrical overload incident occurred during routine battery replacement work on the submarine by Babcock Marine Ltd as the vessel was docked at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde (Faslane) in Scotland on 5 August 2021.
Nobody was injured as a result of the incident and there was no risk to the public or the environment.
Following ONR’s investigation into the incident it was found that Babcock Marine Ltd had not reduced the risks associated with battery replacement maintenance activity so far as is reasonably practicable to ensure the health and safety of their workers.
An ONR spokesperson said: “We have determined that Babcock Marine Ltd, as an employer, has contravened legal requirements with regard to the health and safety of its employees involved in battery replacement maintenance activity.
“This was a conventional health and safety incident and there were no nuclear or radiological consequences.
“We will engage with Babcock Marine Ltd during the period of the Improvement Notice to ensure positive progress is made to address the issues.”
The Improvement Notice has been issued under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, sections 2(1) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Regulation 3 (1).
Babcock Marine Ltd have until 28 April 2023 to comply with the Improvement Notice.