- Site: Harwell
- IR number: 21-116
- Date: November 2021
- LC numbers: 11
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This inspection of the Licence Condition (LC) 11 Emergency Arrangements at the Harwell site was undertaken as part of a programme of planned inspections for during 2021/22.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
ONR assessed a site Level 1 emergency exercise, codenamed "Jasper" at the B220 facility. The inspection involved observing site personnel during a rehearsal of the site’s emergency arrangements in response to a simulated emergency.
ONR inspectors assessed the site’s response to the simulated emergency at the Site Emergency Control Centre (SECC), incident location, Forward Control Point (FCP) and the Local Incident Control (LIC).
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
Not applicable.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
In my opinion the planning for the exercise was thorough, and the incident scenario was sufficiently challenging for Harwell to demonstrate its emergency arrangements. Against the predefined exercise objectives ONR considered that all of these had been met adequately, apart from one related to timeliness of casualty rescue. ONR will monitor Site’s improvements in this area during subsequent inspection visits.
A number of good practices, particularly with respect to radiological protection, and some areas of learning were identified by ONR. These were conveyed to the licensee in the post-exercise de-briefing meeting.
Conclusion of Intervention
ONR considers the exercise overall to be an adequate demonstration of the Harwell nuclear site emergency arrangements as required under LC 11.