Skip to content

LC 11 compliance inspection

  • Site: Heysham 1
  • IR number: 21-079
  • Date: September 2021
  • LC numbers: 11

Executive summary

Purpose of Intervention

This was a planned inspection of EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd.’s (NGL’s) Heysham 1 Power Station, undertaken as part of the intervention strategy for the Operating Facilities Division (OFD) of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

The work was carried out in accordance with the planned inspection programme contained in the Heysham 1 Integrated Intervention Strategy (IIS) for 2021/22.

Interventions Carried Out by ONR

I, the operating reactors lead for LC11, carried out a planned on-site inspection with nominated site inspector for Heysham 1 against:

  • Licence condition (LC) 11 – emergency arrangements.

The purpose of LC 11 is to ensure that the licensee implements adequate arrangements for dealing with any accident or emergency arising on the site and their effects.

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).

Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made

I inspected aspects of NGL’s emergency arrangements associated with Learning From Experience (LFE)/OpEx, audit and assurance arrangements and internal assessment of emergency demonstrations.

I observed adequate evidence to demonstrate that:

  • There is a formal review and approval process to ensure that the emergency arrangements are valid and practicable.
  • The emergency arrangements are subject to a programme of internal (and external) audits.
  • Information from relevant events both internal and external to the organisation are considered and used to ensure the emergency arrangements continue to be robust. This includes information and learning from previous tests (both training and demonstration), Learning From Experience (LFE)/OpEx, assessment, inspection or audit activities.
  • There is a process for managing change to the emergency arrangements.
  • Emergency exercises and tests are critical assessed with an action plan to actively manage and implement any findings.

There were no regulatory issues generated as a result of this inspection and I judged that NGL adequately demonstrated compliance with the requirements of LC 11 and therefore rated this inspection as Green, no formal action.

Conclusion of Intervention

There were no findings from this inspection that could significantly undermine nuclear safety.  At present, no additional regulatory action is needed over and above the planned interventions at Heysham 1 Power Station as set out in the Integrated Intervention Strategy, which will continue as planned.