- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 21-171
- Date: February 2022
- LC numbers: 25
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This inspection was carried out at Sellafield Ltd. High Active Liquor Evaporation and Storage (HALES) and High Level Waste Plant (HLWP). It was a planned inspection identified on the 2021/22 inspection schedule and was carried out jointly with the Environment Agency. The inspection focused on the records created as raffinate is transferred from a reprocessing facility, through HALES, and to HLWP for vitrification.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
This inspection focused on compliance against Licence Condition 25 (Operational records). It comprised discussion with staff and review of documents. 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
N/A
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
Local arrangements in the facilities met the site wide requirements for records management as set out in SLP 4.09.100. Both facilities had an up-to-date Record retention Schedule and Record Register, and an appointed and trained Local Record Officer. The sampled records were all present in good condition.
The local record retention schedule has undergone substantial review and improvement since a corporate LC 25 inspection by ONR in 2019/20. We provided regulatory advice that ongoing regular updates should be continued, and specifically noted the need to include reference to WVP product container radiographs, HALES Batch Book and Inventory. We also noted that the identification of record storage “at a place determined by the record holder” would benefit from being updated to specific physical locations.
Sellafield self-volunteered issues with water ingress at one storage location and shared the assessment and recovery plan for potentially damaged records. There is a reliance on the Facilities Management (FM) organisation to make sure local records are kept in an adequate storage environment. We provided regulatory advice that record owners should explore more carefully the checks that are undertaken by FM and / or consider formalising checks (e.g. via scheduled walkdowns).
Conclusion of Intervention
Based on the evidence sampled I consider that an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is appropriate. No Regulatory Issues have been raised, but advice on continued improvement of the Record retention Schedule and record storage locations was provided.