- Site: RRSL
- IR number: 21-166
- Date: March 2022
- LC numbers: 11
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
Licence Condition (LC) 11 requires the licensee to make and implement adequate arrangements to deal with any accident or emergency arising on the site and to ensure that such arrangements are rehearsed periodically.
In November 2021, ONR witnessed Rolls-Royce Submarine Limited’s (RRSL) annual emergency demonstration exercise. ONR rated that demonstration as AMBER owing to shortfalls in information flow and thus a lack of situational awareness within the Emergency Control Centre (ECC). RRSL was required to undertake a partial redemonstration exercise, focusing on the ECC performance.
This intervention was conducted to determine the if the improvements put in place by RRSL since November 2021 have enabled it to implement its arrangements adequately to ensure compliance with LC11.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
ONR’s inspection, which comprised an assessment of a partial emergency demonstration exercise planned and managed by the licensee, was completed in accordance with the following ONR guidance:
- NS-INSP-GD-011 – LC11 – On-Site Emergency Arrangements. Issue 7.1. March 2021
The redemonstration exercise did not include a direct nuclear threat, but instead focused on an escalating fire adjacent to a nuclear facility, alongside casualties that required rescue. Events outside the ECC were simulated by the resilience team, who also provided injects into the ECC at timings designed to stretch the ECC team.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
In my opinion, RRSL demonstrated improvements in both the information flow and situational awareness during the redemonstration exercise. Information was introduced into the ECC at the appropriate level and the flow of information between the Emergency Controller, Deputy Emergency Controller and information boards was generally well controlled and timely. By avoiding over-involvement in detail, the Emergency Controller made sufficient time and space to maintain an appropriate overview of the situation and direct the overall emergency response.
Conclusion of Intervention
Based on the sample inspected, I rate the LC11 intervention as GREEN – ‘No Formal Action’. This is in line with established ONR guidance:
- “Relevant good practice generally met, or minor shortfalls identified, when compared with appropriate benchmarks.”
- “No significant shortfalls identified in the delivery of safety, safeguards or security functions.”
Annual ONR observation of RRSL’s demonstration exercises will continue, with the next demonstrtion expected in November 2022.