- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 21-003
- Date: April 2021
- LC numbers: N/A
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 Sub Division. In accordance with that strategy, compliance inspections are undertaken on the Magnox Operating Unit (OU).
This report presents the findings of a planned intervention that was undertaken in order to assess compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) within the Magnox East River (MER) area on the Sellafield Site.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
On 14th April 2021, I carried out a planned, one-day, on-site IRR17 compliance inspection within Magnox East River (MER). The inspection comprised of discussions with SL staff, reviews of plant records and a plant visit. The key requirements examined were those relating to the following IRR17 regulations:
- Regulation 8 - Radiation risk assessments
- Regulation 9 - Restriction of exposure
- Regulation 14 – Radiation protection Adviser
- Regulation 18 - Local rules and radiation protection supervisors
- Regulation 20 - Monitoring of designated areas
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
This was not a system based inspection, and therefore no judgement has been made of the adequacy of implementation of any part of the safety case.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
During the IRR17 Inspection, I sampled evidence associated with the licensee’s compliance with IRR17 Regulations 8, 9, 14, 18 and 20 and undertook a plant inspection to observe the arrangement in place.
I sampled a number of risk assessments and undertook plant observations in respect of Regulation 8 and 9. Overall, I was satisfied that MER are carrying out adequate risk assessments for the purpose of identifying measures to take to restrict the exposure of their workers to ionising radiation.
I undertook a review of the main changeroom Local Rules and observed a number of Local Rules in place in the sub-change rooms during the plant visit. Overall, I was satisfied that the arrangements for compliance against Regulation 18 were adequate.
I sampled the training records and letters of appointment for a Radiological Protection Advisor (RPA) and RPA deputy and was satisfied that these were completed and in date.
I undertook a review of the MER monitoring schedule and was satisfied that there are adequate monitoring arrangements for the facility and that the monitoring schedule is kept under review.
From those areas sampled, I did not identify any significant shortfalls in the licensee’s formal arrangements for compliance with IRR17 which would prompt a further inspection of those arrangements earlier than currently planned.
Conclusion of Intervention
In conclusion, I judged that, on the basis of evidence sampled in the inspection, compliance with IRR17 was demonstrated and an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is appropriate.