- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 19-029
- Date: May 2019
- LC numbers: 36
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) undertakes all regulatory interaction with the Sellafield site licensee (Sellafield Limited (SL)) against a strategy defined by the ONR Sellafield subdivision. In accordance with that strategy, Licence Condition (LC) compliance inspections are carried out.
The purpose of this inspection was for ONR to determine the adequacy of implementation of SL’s arrangements for compliance with LC 36 (“Organisational capability”). I focused on sampling evidence of compliance in the Highly Active Liquor Evaporation and Storage (HALES) facility, which forms part of SL’s Spent Fuel Management – Operational Waste Facilities, since the provision of adequate human resources is fundamental to the safe operation of these facilities and supports the delivery of the high hazard and risk reduction work by SL.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
LC 36 requires that the licensee provides and maintains adequate financial and human resources to ensure the safe operation of the licensed site.
I carried out a planned LC 36 compliance inspection of SL’s HALES facility. The inspection comprised discussions with SL staff, review of records, and sampling of information contained within electronic databases and other documentation.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
Not applicable.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
The inspection focused on the following specific topics:
- The HALES facility’s nuclear baseline (i.e. the means by which it demonstrates the adequacy of its organisational structure, staffing and competencies to manage nuclear safety);
- The change process followed by the HALES facility when implementing changes to its organisational structure; and
- The HALES facility’s compliance with SL’s arrangements for determining, and ensuring compliance with, Minimum Safety Manning Levels (MSMLs)
No matters were identified as requiring immediate regulatory attention. I found that the licensee is largely compliant with its arrangements. I identified one minor area for improvement during the inspection and this has been raised as a Regulatory Issue to be managed as part of normal regulatory business.
Conclusion of Intervention
On the basis of the evidence sampled at the time of the inspection, I judge that the licensee has adequately implemented its arrangements for LC 36 in the HALES facility, with one minor area for improvement identified. Noting the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, it is my opinion that an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is merited here. A Level 4 (i.e. lowest level) Regulatory Issue has been raised to manage the implementation of the identified area for improvement.