- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 19-011
- Date: April 2019
- LC numbers: 24, 26
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) undertakes all regulatory interactions with the Sellafield site licensee (Sellafield Limited, SL) against a strategy defined by the ONR Sellafield Sub Division. This planned intervention was undertaken as part of the ONR 2019/20 Intervention Plan.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
I conducted a Licence Condition (LC) compliance inspection of LC 24 (“Operating Instructions”) and LC 26 (“Control and Supervision”) on SL’s Magnox East River (MER) facility. This inspection focused on SL’s implementation of their arrangements to ensure that all operations which may affect safety are carried out in accordance with appropriate written instruction, and under the control and supervision of suitably qualified and experienced persons appointed for that purpose by the licensee.
This inspection was conducted to enable ONR to make a judgement as to the adequacy of the implementation of the licensee’s arrangements for compliance with the LC24 and 26.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
Not applicable.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
No matters were identified as requiring immediate regulatory attention whilst conducting the compliance inspection of LC 24 and 26 I examined evidence of the licensee’s compliance with its arrangements and considered that, on the basis of my sample, the licensee is largely compliant with its duties under LC 24. I identified two minor shortfalls; the first associated with the need to produce adequate records to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of its operating instructions and the second relates to implementation of operating rules. These have been raised as Regulatory Issues to be managed as part of normal regulatory business.
I examined evidence of the licensee’s compliance with its arrangements for LC 26 and consider, on the basis of my sample, that the licensee is largely compliant with its duties under LC 26.
Conclusion of Intervention
The LC 24 and LC 26 compliance inspection concluded that the licensee had adequately implemented its arrangements for LC 24 and LC 26. I therefore consider, noting the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, that an inspection rating of Green (no formal action required) is merited here for both Licence Conditions. However two Level 4 regulatory issues have been raised.