- Site: Heysham 1
- IR number: 20-098
- Date: December 2020
- LC numbers: 7
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This was a planned inspection of EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd.’s (NGL’s) Heysham 1 Power Station, undertaken as part of the intervention strategy for the Operating Facilities Division (OFD) of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
The work was carried out in accord with the planned inspection programme contained in the Heysham 1 Integrated Intervention Strategy (IIS) for 2020/21.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
As part of this intervention I, the Nominated Site Inspector, carried out a planned inspection against:
- Licence condition (LC) 7 – Incidents on the site.
The purpose of LC7 is to ensure that incidents on the site are notified, recorded, investigated and reported by the licensee.
The intervention was performed in line with ONR's guidance requirements (as described in our technical inspection guides) in the areas inspected.
Whilst at site, I also took the opportunity to review NGL’s arrangements to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, the onward transmission of COVID-19, and held meetings to discuss progress with regulatory issues and continuous improvement initiatives.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
No system based inspection was undertaken; therefore this is not applicable for this intervention.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
The inspection sampled the adequacy of NGL’s arrangements for the management of investigations and the management of actions generated by investigations. The inspection observed the activity of the ‘Correction Action Review Board’ (CARB), an NGL governance body utilised, amongst other things, to accept, challenge or reject proposals for the closure of investigation actions. I observed positive challenge at the CARB where a number action closure proposals were declined as a result of further intelligence/trends being identified or where members considered additional measures are necessary to support action closure.
From the evidence sampled I was content with management of investigations and the management of actions generated by investigations.
There were no regulatory issues generated from the inspection and I judged that NGL adequately demonstrated compliance with the requirements of LC7 and therefore rated this inspection as Green, no formal action.
In addition, from the sample of physical arrangements inspected I was content that NGL were adequately implementing measures to reduce the risks associated with COVID-19 transmission. The site continue to utilise thermal imaging at site entrances; hand sanitiser stations; personnel testing, isolation and track and trace measures; disinfectant and cleaning materials in all offices; signage and briefing material used to reinforce the 2 metre social distancing rule and hand wash policy and the wearing of facemasks when in doors.
Conclusion of Intervention
There were 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 Heysham 1 Power Station as set out in the Integrated Intervention Strategy, which will continue as planned.