- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 21-066
- Date: August 2021
- LC numbers: 28
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) undertakes all regulatory interaction with the Sellafield site licensee (Sellafield Ltd) against a strategy defined by the ONR Sellafield, Decommissioning, Fuel and Waste (SDFW) Division. The planned inspection schedule for 2021/22, identifies the Licence Conditions (LCs) that will be inspected during this period.
The purpose of this inspection was for ONR to determine the adequacy of implementation of Sellafield Ltd’s arrangements for compliance with LC 28 (Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing) (EIM&T) at the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP).
The overall adequacy of Sellafield Ltd's site-wide LC 28 arrangements is considered separately in other ONR interventions
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
I, the Site Inspector for THORP, carried out planned LC 28 compliance inspections at THORP. The inspection focused on:
- THORP’s implementation of the Sellafield Ltd arrangements for EIM&T;
- THORP’s oversight of EIM&T;
- THORP’s application of any COVID-19 Sellafield Ltd variations that apply to LC 28.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
Not applicable since this was not a safety system based inspection.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
No significant matters were identified as requiring immediate regulatory attention in relation to the implementation of the LC 28 arrangements at THORP. I found that THORP has undertaken its EIM&T within the intervals specified in the Plant Maintenance Schedule (PMS) and in accordance with written schemes. Personnel undertaking EIM&T were demonstrated to have been suitably qualified and experienced, and persons controlling and supervising EIM&T were qualified and in date for their appointments.
THORP provided evidence that its management has an adequate oversight of EIM&T activities, and non-delivered maintenance is controlled and in compliance with the relevant Sellafield Ltd corporate arrangements and Covid-19 variations. I raised two minor regulatory issues in relation to compliance with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000, where a review of the Written Scheme of Examination is overdue and THORP’s review of the safety case documentation/plant maintenance schedule alignment which is outstanding.
My findings were shared with, acknowledged and accepted by THORP’s management as part of normal inspection feedback.
Conclusion of Intervention
On the basis of the evidence sampled at the time of the inspection, I judge that THORP has adequately implemented Sellafield Ltd’s arrangements for LC 28, with two minor shortfalls identified. Noting the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, it is my opinion that an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is merited. Two Level 4 (i.e. lowest level) regulatory issues have been raised to manage the resolution of the identified shortfalls.