- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 21-101
- Date: October 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 Magnox Encapsulation Plant (MEP) 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 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 14 - Radiation protection adviser
- Regulation 15 – Information, instruction and training
- Regulation 17 - Designation of controlled or supervised areas
- Regulation 18 - Local rules and radiation protection supervisors
- Regulation 20 - Monitoring of designated areas
- 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, and the Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) had demonstrated compliance with IRR17.
The Sellafield Ltd facility management and the RPA understood the current and future radiological challenges associated with the facility.
The risk assessments and plant modification proposals provided, confirmed input from the RPA, the RPA Nominee 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.
Accepting that occupation dose exposures within the facility are low, the RPA demonstrated appropriate monitoring and control of occupational dose exposures.
I was content that the facility management had identified and adequately addressed the radiation protection supervisor training reassessment shortfall that was identified in July 2021.
I provided advice to the facility management regarding ensuring the radiological work areas and especially the sub-change rooms were kept free of debris and rubbish, as observed during the facility walkdown.
The findings were shared with, acknowledged and accepted by the MEP facility management, 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.