- Site: AWE Aldermaston
- IR number: 20-039
- Date: August 2020
- LC numbers: 28
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
The key aims of this scheduled LC28 inspection (Examination, Inspection, Maintenance and Testing – EIMT) on the Main Production Facility (MPF) on the Aldermaston ‘A’ site were for ONR to gain regulatory confidence that:
The EIMT arrangements used on the MPF are adequate.
The implementation of the EIMT arrangements on the MPF is adequate.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
This inspection was carried out on the Main Production Facility (MPF) on the Aldermaston ‘A’ site. A number of themes were discussed during the inspection to ascertain the MPF’s level of compliance with (a) LC28 requirements and (b) with AWE’s own management processes for compliance with LC28. A sample of Class 1 Safety Systems and Components (SSC’s) on the MPF was selected and the EIMT processes were walked through from end to end, so that where possible, full visibility of the auditable trail for the EIMT on the selected SSC’s could be examined.
The intervention was performed in line with ONR's guidance requirements (as described in our technical inspection guides) in the areas inspected.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
N/A
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
Improvements to LC 28 arrangements and their application remain a work in progress across AWE in general and also at the MPF. The licensee evidenced a very clear direction of travel for these improvements during the inspection. AWE has clearly recognised a need for a number of new processes to fill identified gaps and is proactively authoring these at speed.
The extant EIMT arrangements sampled during this inspection were judged to be adequate to ensure sustained LC28 compliance. The Class 1 SSC’s sampled during the inspection were seen to have fully completed maintenance records, and there was full correspondence between the paper records of maintenance and those seen on the computerised maintenance system.
Conclusion of Intervention
No regulatory concerns that could impact nuclear safety were identified during this inspection. The licensee’s extant EIMT arrangements and the application of these arrangements were judged to be adequate to ensure compliance with LC28 requirements, noting that AWE is delivering improvements at speed. The inspection has therefore been rated as ‘Green’ – Adequate.