- Site: AWE Aldermaston
- IR number: 21-027
- Date: May/June 2021
- LC numbers: N/A
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This was a planned inspection in line with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) Integrated Intervention Strategy (IIS) plan for 2020/21, of the Waste and Decommissioning (W&D) areas at the Aldermaston site focusing on the Old Waste Management Group (OWMG) yard.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
The intervention consisted of a combination of remote and on-site compliance inspections against the Ionising Radiations Regulation 2017 (IRR17) arrangements. The intervention will inform ONR of the arrangements in place to ensure compliance against IRR17 and provide an update on progress against Actions associated with the Enforcement Letter ONR-EL-20-033 (CM9 2021/11230) following the contamination event in the OWMG yard on 11 June 2020 (INF1 2020/452).
The intervention consisted of a remote and an onsite inspection. During the remote inspection, AWE provided a presentation summarising the organisational structure for delivery of IRR17 compliance in the areas of W&D. The on-site inspection primarily focused on the implementation of the arrangements for compliance with the IRR17. I sampled relevant documentation and assessed compliance against:
- Work with Ionising Radiation - Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L121 (Second edition) Published 2018.
- The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 - NS-INSP-GD-054 Revision 7.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
Not Applicable
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
Overall, I consider that the licensee has adequately demonstrated their arrangements to safely undertake activities associated with IRR17 in the areas of W&D. However, I identified one shortfall related to storage of flammable liquids although this matter was promptly rectified by the licensee concurrent to the intervention.
Conclusion of Intervention
Based on the sampling undertaken during the IRR17 remote compliance inspection and site inspection, I am satisfied that the duty holder has adequate arrangements for compliance with IRR17 in the W&D areas.
I concluded that there were no significant shortfalls identified against Relevant Good Practice (RGP), with respect to radiological protection requirements under IRR17.
Therefore, I consider that an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is merited.