- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 19-133
- Date: November 2019
- LC numbers: 12, 26, 28
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
In accordance with the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s (ONR’s) Sellafield Strategy, each year ONR performs a series of planned Licence Condition compliance inspections targeted on key facilities. The purpose of this particular intervention was to undertake a compliance inspection at the Analytical Services facility to ascertain compliance against Licence Conditions 12, 26 and 28. The inspection targeted the glove boxes and fume hoods within Analytical Services.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
On 12 and 13 November 2019, ONR carried out a planned two-day compliance inspection of the Sellafield Analytical Services facility using ONR inspectors from the following technical disciplines:
- Operational Inspection
- Mechanical Engineering
ONR assessed compliance in Analytical Services against the following Licence Conditions by using the applicable ONR inspection guidance documents:
- LC12 – Duly Authorised and Other Suitable Qualified and Experienced Persons (NS-INSP-GD-012)
- LC26 – Control and Supervision of Operations (NS-INSP-GD-026)
- LC28 – Examination, Inspection, Maintenance and Testing (NS-INSP-GD-028)
These Licence Conditions were selected based on their significance to nuclear safety. The inspection targeted control and supervision of maintenance activities, examination, inspection, maintenance and testing of the glove boxes and fume hoods within analytical services and asset management. This was achieved through a combination of document reviews, discussions with Sellafield Limited’s operations, engineering and maintenance staff and inspection of the plant.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
Not applicable – this was not a system based inspection.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
Based on the evidence sampled, I judge that Sellafield Limited is adequately implementing its arrangements for compliance with Licence Conditions 12, 26 and 28 within its analytical services facility. Additionally, I judge that SL is adequately implementing its arrangements for asset management for the glove boxes and fume hoods within this facility.
Conclusion of Intervention
From the evidence sampled during the intervention, I judge that an inspection rating of green (no formal action) is appropriate for Licence Condition 12, 26 and 28.
For Licence Condition 28, I identified a minor shortfall regarding record keeping for certain maintenance activities. Sellafield Limited’s internal regulator will follow up on this matter and report back to the ONR site inspector.
We discussed the outcome of the inspection with SL and they recognised the need to address the minor shortfall identified.