- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 21-089
- Date: September 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 Ltd) against a strategy defined by the ONR Sellafield, Decommissioning, Fuel and Waste (SDFW) Division. 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 First Generation Magnox Storage Pond (FGMSP) Facility on the Sellafield Site.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
The intervention consisted of an examination of the implementation of arrangements to secure compliance with the requirements of IRR17 by discussion with key Sellafield Ltd facility personnel, and those from The Decommissioning Alliance (TDA), and inspection of the facility. The key requirements examined were those relating to the following IRR17 regulations and areas:
- Regulation 8 - Radiation risk assessments;
- Regulation 9 - Restriction of exposure;
- Regulation 10 – Personal protective equipment;
- Regulation 18 - Local rules and radiation protection supervisors;
- Regulation 20 – Monitoring of designated areas (focus on calibration and
- test);
- Review of dose exposures (2021 data), and
- Details of relevant IRR17 events and how these have been addressed.
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
I was content that the Sellafield Ltd facility management, the Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) and TDA representatives had demonstrated compliance with IRR17.
The Sellafield Ltd facility management, the RPA and TDA understood the current and future radiological challenges associated with the facility. The RPA demonstrated robust monitoring, trending and control of occupational dose exposure within the facility.
A selection of condition reports was discussed to determine what learning had been gained to ensure work remained ALARP, but nonetheless subjected to Sellafield Ltd’s Licence Condition 7 (Incidents on the site) arrangements.
The risk assessments and supporting documentation provided, confirmed input from the RPA or the appropriate safety adviser. I advised that we are in discussion with the Sellafield Ltd corporate radiological protection lead regarding improving the visibility of the requirements of the IRR17 Regulation 8 (Radiation risk assessments) and this would be tracked at the corporate level.
During the facility walkdown I observed a number of radiologically designated areas, each with specific local rules for that area. I considered this appropriate practice as it provided clarity on the requirements for that specific area without reliance on generic local rules.
I provided advice to the facility management regarding ensuring the radiological work area was kept free of debris and rubbish, especially after temporary works had taken place.
The findings were shared with, acknowledged and accepted by the FGMSP facility management, including the RPA, and TDA representatives as part of normal inspection feedback.
Conclusion of Intervention
In conclusion, I, judged that, on the basis of evidence sampled at the time of this inspection, compliance with IRR17 was demonstrated and an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is appropriate.