- Site: AWE Burghfield
- IR number: 21-008
- Date: September 2021
- LC numbers: 11
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) undertakes all regulatory interventions with the Burghfield nuclear site licensee, AWE plc (AWE) against a strategy defined by the ONR Weapons sub-Division. In accordance with that strategy, a Licence Condition (LC) compliance inspection was undertaken at Burghfield, as planned, on 15th September.
The purpose of the intervention was for the ONR to inspect and determine the adequacy of implementation of AWE’s formal arrangements for compliance with LC 11 via the demonstration of their on-site emergency arrangements during a Level 1 emergency exercise.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
The intervention focussed on the people and processes that AWE has in place to comply with its LC 11 arrangements and was undertaken via observation and assessment of the on-site Level 1 emergency exercise.
The intervention was performed in line with ONR's guidance requirements (as described in our technical inspection guides) in the areas inspected.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
Not applicable - this was not a system-based inspection, therefore no judgement in this regard was made.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
Based on the evidence sampled at the time of the intervention against AWE’s LC 11 arrangements and ONR’s associated guidance , I consider that AWE has consistently implemented its arrangements across the functions sampled. This current view aligns with that of AWE’s own LC owners, the internal regulator findings, and those of the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR).
I was satisfied that there were no significant shortfalls, that the exercise scenario was realistic and sufficiently challenging and required no need for any formal regulatory follow up action.
Conclusion of Intervention
It is my opinion that the Level 1 emergency response demonstration exercise provided adequate evidence of implementation of the established emergency arrangements within the Assembly Facility and Burghfield Command Post, in respect of LC 11. A Green rating is therefore considered appropriate, in accordance with ONR Guide ONR-INSP-GD-064.
There are no other findings from this inspection that could significantly undermine nuclear safety. The planned interventions set out in the Operating Facilities Division Weapons sub-Division Strategy for Burghfield site remain valid and will be followed for future inspections.