- Site: Hunterston B
- IR number: 19-016
- Date: May 2019
- LC numbers: 17
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).
This intervention forms part of ONR’s wider assessment to determine the capability and effectiveness of the EDF Independent Nuclear Assurance (INA) team and focussed on INA site based activities.
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 inspection against:
- Licence condition (LC) 17 – Management systems.
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 17 (Management systems) - The HNB Nominated Site Inspector carried out an inspection that examined the capability and effectiveness of the Independent Nuclear Assurance (INA) site based team at Hunterston B. He was supported during the inspection by the Hinkley Point B Nominated Site Inspector and an ONR Nuclear Associate. The inspection was part of a cross fleet inspection. To ensure consistency and enable the results to be compared with other EDF sites a standard inspection plan and agenda was prepared.
The inspection examined the INA function across six areas in order to obtain the evidence base for ONR's judgement on the capability and effectiveness of the INA site based team. These areas were:
- Appropriate level of competence,
- Independence of mind,
- Appropriate balance and range of activities,
- Provision of appropriate level of advice and challenge
- Station respect input of INA team and respond appropriately to challenge,
- Appropriate level of influence is achieved.
ONR has inspected the INA site based team at HNB and found evidence that demonstrates that the INA team has the capability and effectiveness to provide appropriate advice and influence over station activities. The INA staff at station are judged to be competent, having appropriate experience and influencing skills, and station management and staff respect the input of the INA team. Where INA advice is challenged it tends to result from a need to further clarify the concern rather than a reluctance to deliver safety improvements.
Some areas for INA improvement have been identified. These findings will be aggregated with the findings from the ONR inspections of INA at other sites, including the corporate centre at Barnwood, to provide an overall view of the capability and effectiveness of the INA function within EDF.
Conclusion of Intervention
From this inspection of LC 17 Management Systems applicable to the Independent Nuclear Assurance function at Hunterston B, there were no findings that could significantly undermine nuclear safety. Therefore a rating of Green, no formal action, was assigned to the inspection.