- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 21-108
- Date: October 2021
- LC numbers: 23, 27
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This intervention was a planned inspection of LC23 (Operating Rules) and LC27 (Safety Mechanisms, Devices and Circuits) at the Sellafield Active Handling Facility (AHF). National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) operates the AHF at the Sellafield site as tenant. The purpose of the inspection was for ONR to gain assurance that NNL has adequately implemented Sellafield Limited’s arrangements in compliance with LC23 & LC27 in AHF.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
This was a one-day routine compliance inspection. The AHF Site Inspector led the inspection supported by Fault Studies and Control and Instrumentation specialist inspectors. The inspection focused on AHF’s compliance with Sellafield Limited’s LC23 & LC27 arrangements for the principal hazards that the facility’s safety case identified.
The LC23 inspection focused on AHF’s implementation of safety case limits and conditions. This included derivation of limits and conditions from the safety case, visibility in operational documentation and records to demonstrate compliance. For LC27, the inspection reviewed the arrangements for a sample of three Safety Mechanisms, Devices or Circuits (SMDC) for the AHF’s principal hazards.
The inspection involved discussions with NNL personnel, inspection of the facility and a review of relevant documentation.
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 commended the NNL personnel that I engaged with during the intervention. I took confidence from their transparency and commitment to operational safety. I noted that they have self-identified opportunities to improve and have a plan to implement a systems health programme to maintain their assets. I welcomed their positive and timely responses to my challenges in detailed technical areas.
I found that NNL had adequately implemented their extant Operating Rules (LC23) and had presented me with evidence that demonstrated compliance with the supporting required Operating Instructions (rOIs). Similarly, I found that NNL had adequately identified their SMDC (LC27). For these, NNL had adequate arrangements to ensure their availability and instructions for action in the event of SMDC unavailability.