- Site: Hunterston B
- IR number: 19-009
- Date: April 2019
- LC numbers: 8
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This was a planned inspection of EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd.’s (NGL’s) Hunterston B Power Station, undertaken as part of the planned intervention strategy for the Operating Facilities Division (OFD) of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
The work was carried out in accord with the planned inspection programme contained in the Hunterston B Integrated Intervention Strategy (IIS) for 2019/20.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
As part of this intervention I, the nominated site inspector carried out an unannounced inspection against:
- Licence condition (LC) 08 – Warning notices.
The intervention was performed in line with ONR's guidance requirements (as described in our technical inspection guides) in the areas inspected.
I also held routine meetings and received updates on the progress being made to close out regulatory issues previously raised.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
No system based inspection was undertaken hence, this is not applicable for this intervention.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
Licence Condition 08 (Warning notices) - I inspected the station implementation of the EDF procedures for control of warning notices used to ensure that persons on the site respond appropriately to, and on the measures to take in the event of, any emergency on the site.
The inspection sampled the EDF arrangements for control of safety signs and station fire safety management arrangements and found that these correctly identified the LC08 requirements for warning signs; that notices are kept of the:
- meaning of any warning signal;
- location of emergency exits;
- measures to take in the event of a fire breaking out or any other emergency, and;
- notices are posted at locations that can be conveniently read.
I sampled the implementation of these procedures and I judged that the combination of site access training and job induction and orientation provided by line managers was sufficient to ensure that individuals were aware of the measures to take in the event of any emergency. I also noted some areas where warning signs, located outdoors, did not fully meet the requirements for LC08. These issues are mainly related to identification of muster locations and legibility of signs. However these aspects had already been self-identified by EDF and action is underway to address these points. A regulatory issue will be agreed with EDF to track progress against this action. I therefore rated this inspection as Green, no formal action.
Conclusion of Intervention
There were no findings from this inspection that could significantly undermine nuclear safety. At present, no additional regulatory action is needed over and above the planned interventions at Hunterston B Power Station as set out in the Integrated Intervention Strategy, which will continue as planned.