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Chapelcross MAC Retrievals Hold Point release

  • Site: Chapelcross
  • IR number: 21-001
  • Date: April 2021
  • LC numbers: 21

Executive summary

Purpose of Intervention

This intervention was aimed at informing the release of the regulatory hold point that will enable the licensee at Chapelcross (CHX) to commence Miscellaneous Activated Components (MAC) ILW retrieval operations from the Ponds.  

Interventions Carried Out by ONR

I carried out a remote intervention of CHX’s arrangements and their implementation for MAC ILW retrieval operations.   

Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate

N/A.

Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made

The intervention was to judge whether to release the MAC retrievals regulatory hold point and included the following elements:

  • to sample the relevant MAC Retrievals Project documentation and Plant Safety Panel (PSP) meeting documents to assess Magnox Limited’s (ML) governance of the MAC retrievals project;
  • to carry out a review of my recent Ponds, AVDS, and ISF plant visits and discussions regarding MAC retrieval operations with the plant Duly Authorised Person (DAP) and operators;
  • to sample the ML Regional Site Inspector’s Operational Readiness Review (ORR) to confirm that CHX is ready to start MAC retrievals and that the PSP actions required before the start of retrievals from the Ponds have been completed.

I confirmed that the scope of the review and level of internal challenge in the PSP meeting was sufficient. I found evidence of plant readiness and I am confident that the plant DAP and operators are Suitably Qualified and Experienced Persons (SQEP) to carry out MAC retrieval activities. I reviewed ML Site Inspector’s ORR report and judged that he had undertaken a comprehensive independent review.

From the evidence gathered during the intervention related to readiness for MAC ILW retrieval operations, I am content that the arrangements are adequate.

Conclusion of Intervention

I consider that the appropriate regulatory action is to release the regulatory hold point to enable CHX to commence MAC ILW retrieval operations.