- Site: Barrow
- IR number: 19-042
- Date: July 2019
- LC numbers: 11
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This intervention was a planned inspection of Licence Condition 11 “Emergency Arrangements”, which is one of a series of planned interventions for the BAE Systems Marine Limited (BAESML) licensed nuclear site at Barrow.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
On 3rd July 2019 a joint ONR / Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) team assessed the on-site elements of a Level 2 emergency exercise, codenamed “INDIGO 19”. The aim of this exercise was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the company’s Nuclear Emergency Arrangements at the ‘on-site operational and tactical’ and ‘off-site tactical and strategic’ levels in response to an off-site nuclear emergency being declared.
In addition to the exercise assessment a number of planned meetings were held with the licensee.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
Not applicable.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
ONR considered that BAESML’s aims and objectives for the emergency exercise were appropriate and that a suitably challenging scenario had been defined. During its assessment of the emergency exercise, ONR observed a controlled and measured response from BAESML, ship staff and other emergency responders including the fire service. Whilst areas for improvement were noted, these were not considered significant by the assessors. ONR judged the exercise to be an adequate demonstration of the site’s emergency arrangements.
Conclusion of Intervention
Overall ONR judged that in the event of a real incident BAESML would have adequately coped with the incident; consequently ONR considers that the exercise was an adequate demonstration of the site’s emergency arrangements. ONR judged that overall the standard of compliance was generally consistent with relevant good practice, and an inspection rating of ‘green’ was given.