- Site: RRSL
- IR number: 19-137
- Date: December 2019
- LC numbers: N/A
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This was a planned inspection in line with the ONR Integrated Intervention Strategy (IIS) plan for 2019/20, of the Rolls-Royce Submarine Limited (RRSL) licensee across the Raynesway site; including the Neptune Nuclear Licensed Site (NNLS) and Nuclear Fuel Production Plant (NFPP) licensed site.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
The licensee was inspected against the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) arrangements and their implementation. The inspection sampled the implementation of the Regulations at the NFPP contact shop; focusing on the local extract ventilation (LEV) systems, and the management of radioactive contamination from the management of radioactive material and /or waste.
The inspection targeted the radiological protection arrangements and their implementation for:
- The operation, inspection and maintenance of the LEV.
- The use of and arrangements for the management /training of personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
- Contamination controls within the designated controlled and/or supervised areas of the contact shop (including changing facilities).
The inspection was conducted at a plant management and operational level to allow ONR to take an informed view on the adequacy of the licensees’ arrangements for compliance with IRR17, and how these arrangements are applied at the point of work.
The inspection scope was informed by the expectations and legal requirements outlined within the IRR17 associated Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) (L121). Additional relevant good practice (RGP) is taken from ONR’s Technical Inspection Guide (TIG) ONR-TAST-GD-54 (The Ionising Radiation Regulation 2017, Revision 6).
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
Not Applicable
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
No matters were identified as requiring immediate regulatory attention during the conduct of the compliance inspection.
I concluded that there were a number minor shortfalls identified against relevant good practice (RGP), which did not impact upon nuclear safety. A single level 4 regulatory issue is raised to address these findings with the title “Improvements within the arrangements, and their implementation, for compliance with IRR17”.
A second level 4 regulatory 4 issue is raised to ensure the licensee improves the level of privacy afforded to the female staff when using the changing facilities to gain entry into the contact area, with the title “Review of the female changing room arrangements”.
Conclusion of Intervention
Based on the sampling undertaken during the IRR17 compliance inspection, I am satisfied that in general the licensee has in place adequate arrangements for compliance with IRR17.
Therefore, I consider that an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is merited.