- Date released
- 3 March 2020
- Request number
- 202002070
- Release of information under
- Freedom of Information Act 2000
Information requested
As a follow-up to the long E-Mail trail below and to formalise my concerns, could I please have a reply to the following 3 questions that related to ONR Documentation under a FOI request (questions detailed in my E-Mail of 2 February):
- Why have 5 TAGs been withdrawn? These are key documents for the continued Safe Operations. Please confirm it is not due to staff shortage.
- QA/QC of Procedures. What Procedures is used to update Procedures and could I please have a copy?
- Why have 4 Inspection Compliance Guides past their review date? Please confirm this is not due to staff shortage.
Information released
We aim to be as open as possible when answering requests for information. However to enable us to process your request and for the avoidance of doubt we require further clarification. This will assist in determining whether we hold the information you requested in our records.
You have sent in 4 emails therefore please could you clarify your request so we are able to respond? This clarification is in relation to your emails received on the 2, 4, 12 and 17 February 2020. Enquiry reference GE202002293 will be addressed in this response.
This clarification is separate to your ONR 2025 Strategy Response email of 9 February 2020 and your FOI request of 11 February (FOI202002063).
Clarification required:
ONR was established as a statutory Public Corporation on 1 April 2014 under the Energy Act 2013. It provides the framework of responsibilities and the powers of the organisation. Please see the following link for more information about the legal framework within which ONR operates.
The ONR web site provides members of the public with visibility of our documents and when subject to revision, they may be withdrawn and the status is reflected accordingly. However, the management of our internal guidance library is a continuous process, subject to day by day changes and is the primary source used by our inspectors undertaking their regulatory duties.
I am sure you can appreciate it is not appropriate for ONR to respond to matters outside of our remit. Please refer any questions in relation to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to HSE.
Question 1: Can you please clarify which 5 TAGs are you referring to?
I am sure you will appreciate that guidance does not always need to be updated if the content remains accurate, useful and relevant. Staff responsible for drafting TAGs will, however, always review documents before the deadline to ensure they remain representative of the standards against which our inspectors assess duty holder compliance with their legal requirements.
Question 2: Can you please clarify which QA/QC procedures you are referring to? Do you mean ONR’s Control of Management System Documented Information?
Question 3: Can you please clarify which 4 Inspection Compliance Guides you are referring to?
Despite the challenge of recruiting from a comparatively small pool of suitably qualified candidates, the ONR continues to attract and retain world-leading experts in nuclear safety and security. It is for this reason that we continue to meet our own resourcing targets and feel confident that we have the right people, in the right numbers, to undertake our work to the high standards we set.
Further Information:
Should you wish to clarify your request, please contact us via the email address contact@onr.gov.uk, quoting reference: FOI202002070. Any reformulated request will be treated as a new FOI request.
Please note that in accordance with Section 1(3) of the FOIA we are not under any further obligation to respond until you have provided the appropriate clarification.
Exemptions applied
Section 1(3)
PIT (Public Interest Test) if applicable
N/A