- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 20-062
- Date: October 2020
- LC numbers: 10, 12, 26, 36
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) undertakes all regulatory interaction with the Sellafield site licensee (Sellafield Limited (SL)) against a strategy defined by the ONR Sellafield, Decommissioning, Fuel and Waste (SDFW) Division. The planned inspection schedule for 2020/21 identifies the Licence Conditions (LCs) that will be inspected during this period.
The purpose of this intervention was to undertake a compliance inspection to assess Utilities compliance with Sellafield Ltd’s (SL) corporate arrangements for various Licence Conditions. These included Licence Condition (LC) 10 [Training], LC 12 [Duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experienced persons], LC 26 [Control and supervision of operations] and LC 36 [Operational Capability].
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
This compliance inspection comprised discussions with SL personnel, review of SL records, documents and processes, attendance at the daily Plant Operational Control Centre (POCC) and a targeted inspection of the Separation Area Ventilation (SAV) facility.
The inspection was conducted in line with a plan shared with Utilities ahead of the inspection (2020/283461).
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
Not applicable since this was not a safety system based inspection.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
Assurance was provided that Utilities understand what the requirements are in terms of compliance with the identified LCs and that the SL Corporate arrangements are being appropriately complied with. No significant matters were identified as requiring immediate regulatory attention. The progress SL is making on addressing the actions raised during the Board of Inquiry into the 11kV injurious electrical event that occurred in April 2020 in a number of different areas was identified as being positive.
My findings were shared with, and acknowledged by, Utilities management as part of normal inspection feedback.
Conclusion of Intervention
From the evidence sampled during the inspection, SL has effectively implemented its arrangements for compliance with LC 10, LC 12, LC26 and LC 36 across Utilities and inspection ratings of Green (no formal action) for these licence conditions are considered appropriate.