- Site: Torness
- IR number: 19-060
- Date: August 2019
- LC numbers: 26
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
It is ONR policy that inspection programmes for licensed sites should include unannounced inspections. The purpose of this intervention was to undertake unannounced inspections of selected areas of EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd’s (NGL) Torness power station as part of the ONR inspection programme for Torness in 2019/20, examining control and supervision required under the terms of Nuclear Site Licence Condition 26 (LC26) and also conventional health and safety (CHS).
The visit also included routine site inspector interactions with station management.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
I carried out the inspections in my capacity as nominated site inspector for Torness Power Station.
Accompanied by evaluators from NGL Independent Nuclear Assurance (INA) I visited a number of areas of the site to examine working conditions and control and supervision.
With the station’s Industrial Safety Engineer I visited other areas to examine standards of conventional safety.
The intervention was performed in line with ONR's guidance requirements (as described in our technical inspection guides) in the areas inspected.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
I observed examples of control and supervision consistent with relevant good practice. I also encountered one area where housekeeping and storage of materials was less disciplined than would be expected in an area where foreign material exclusion should be strict. This was raised as a condition report by INA and discussed with station management, and I am confident that it will be resolved without further action by ONR. I therefore gave an inspection rating of Green – no formal action’ for compliance with LC26.
The CHS inspection found generally good standards. I raised a query about guarding of new equipment being installed in one area, otherwise no further action was required, so I rated conventional safety Green too.
Conclusion of Intervention
Findings were discussed with station management. There are 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 Torness.