- Site: Dungeness B
- IR number: 21-140
- Date: January 2022
- LC numbers: 10, 11
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This was a planned LC 10 (Training) and LC11(6) (Emergency arrangements) compliance inspection at EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Limited’s (NGL’s) Dungeness B power station (DNB). It was undertaken as part of the planned intervention strategy for the Operating Facilities Division (OFD) of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). The intervention was conducted in accordance with the planned inspection programme in the Dungeness B integrated Intervention Strategy (IIS) for 2021/22.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
The inspection was undertaken by the DNB nominated site inspector. During this intervention, the following key activities were undertaken:
- LC 10 and 11(6) compliance inspections of the station’s emergency shift training exercise demonstration “Bastion”
- A plant visit to the station’s simulator training area
- Engagement meetings with technical support and safety manager, plant manager and station director.
- Follow-up of the station’s actions to address ONR’s enforcement Direction
- Conduct intelligence gathering and meet with the station safety representative
- ONR regulatory issues update and reported events follow-up,
The purpose of the LC10 and 11(6) compliance inspections were to ensure that the licensee implements adequate arrangements with respect to its emergency arrangements training.
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
This compliance inspection targeted the station’s the LC10 and 11 arrangements, the inspection observed the following areas during the shift exercise:
- The station simulator
- The Emergency Control Centre (ECC)
- The Access Control Point (ACP)
The site inspector observed a shift training exercise “BASTION” which facilitated the station’s emergency responders to practice and develop their skills. The site inspector’s main observations of the training exercise were that the scenario facilitated all players to practice their role responsibilities. Given the ongoing COVID 19 restrictions at the time of the exercise the Emergency Preparedness Engineer made good arrangements to keep teams socially distant. The use of the umpires also helped drive the exercise was notable and provided sufficient guidance without compromising the training benefit in unnecessary prompts or hints. There was good evidence of further coaching and advice by station mentors and from Berwick’s who support the station in emergency training. The site inspector considered that this was a good training exercise which was very challenging which pushed many individuals. The site inspector considered that from his sampled inspection, the licensee’s implementation of its arrangements for LC11(6) and 10 warranted a GREEN rating.
In addition, the site inspector visited the station’s fuelling machine training simulator, this was an item of training equipment that the site inspector had not previously seen. The site inspector was provided tour of the facility and a demonstration of its functionality.
The site inspector also undertook intelligence gathering, held routine engagement meetings with the station Safety Representatives, Station Director Plant Manager and follow up of the station’s progress in its response to ONR’s Direction concerning its Loss of water chemistry control event that occurred in May 2021.
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 Dungeness B Power Station as set out in the Integrated Intervention Strategy, which will continue as planned.