- Site: Barrow
- IR number: 21-097
- Date: October 2021
- LC numbers: 11
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) undertakes all regulatory interaction with BAE Systems Marine Limited (BAESML) against a strategy defined by the ONR Propulsion Division. This intervention was a planned inspection of Licence Condition 11 “Emergency Arrangements”, for the BAESML licensed nuclear site at Barrow in Furness, in line with the strategy for regulating the site during 2021/22.
BAESML have, as agreed with ONR, taken a modular approach for their annual Licence Condition 11 “Emergency Arrangements” Level 1 demonstration exercise in 2021. The primary reason for this was to minimise the number of personnel required to be in close proximity during demonstration exercises due to the COVID19 pandemic.
The purpose of this inspection was to assess module 3 of BAESML’s annual Level 1 emergency exercise ‘Indigo 21’ demonstration and evaluate the assessments of modules 1 and 2.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) and the BAESML Independent Nuclear Assurance (INA) function jointly assessed BAESML’s annual Level 1 modular demonstration exercises ‘Indigo 21’. These exercises were intended to demonstrate BAESML’s arrangements, under Licence Condition 11 “Emergency Arrangements”, for dealing with any accident or emergency arising on the site and any subsequent effects. The exercises were measured against ONR’s regulatory expectations, informed by relevant good practice and ONR guidance documentation. Specifically, LC 11 and REPPIR– Operator’s Emergency Arrangements are in NS-INSP-GD-011.
This inspection entailed review of the emergency scenario and observation of BAESML’s response to the emergency scenario, to enable ONR to form a judgement on the demonstrations.
The intervention was performed in line with ONR's guidance requirements (as described in our technical inspection guides) in the areas inspected.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
ONR considered that BAESML’s aims and objectives for the emergency exercise were appropriate for the defined scenario. During its assessment of the emergency exercise, ONR, DNSR and BAESML INA observed an appropriate response from BAESML.
Whilst areas for improvement such as scenario development and situational awareness and record keeping were noted, these were not considered significant by the ONR assessor.
Taking into account the exercise scenario, I judged the modular exercises to be an adequate demonstration of the site’s emergency arrangements.
Conclusion of Intervention
From the evidence gathered during this intervention, no matters impacting on nuclear, radiological, or conventional safety that required any further immediate regulatory action were identified and the conclusion is that BAESML would have adequately coped with the incident.
I therefore consider, noting the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, that an inspection rating of GREEN (no formal action required) is appropriate.