- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 21-044
- Date: June 2021
- LC numbers: 2
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) undertakes all regulatory interactions with the Sellafield site licensee (Sellafield Limited, SL) against a strategy defined by the ONR Sellafield Sub Division. In accordance with that strategy, a Licence Condition (LC) 2 (Marking of the site boundary) compliance inspection was carried out on 22 June, 2021.
The purpose of this inspection was for the ONR to determine the licensee’s compliance with LC 2, covering both the adequacy of its formal arrangements and their implementation.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
ONR carried out a one-day, on-site inspection of SL’s compliance with LC 2. The inspection comprised discussions with SL staff, a targeted walk down of the site boundary, and reviews of maintenance records and other documentation.
LC 2 requires SL to make and implement adequate arrangements to prevent unauthorised persons from entering the site. It also requires the licensee to mark the boundaries of the site by fences or other appropriate means and for any such fences or other means to be properly maintained. ONR used technical inspection guide NS-INSP-GD-02 to carry out the inspection.
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
From the evidence presented, it was determined that the site-wide arrangements for compliance with LC2 are adequate, and that where sampled, the implementation of those arrangements has been undertaken in accordance with SL’s defined processes and related roles and responsibilities.
The representatives of the licensee, specifically the LC2 process owner, supporting asset management staff and system engineer, had an effective understanding of the requirements of this Licence Condition and of the site arrangements for its implementation. Notably, a good understanding of the material condition of the licence site boundary markings, and of the associated security fence structures was demonstrated.
Two level 4 regulatory issues were raised as a result of opportunities for minor improvement which were identified during the inspection. These were shared with and accepted by the licensee at the time of the inspection.