- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 21-185
- Date: March 2022
- LC numbers: 23, 26, 34
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
The Office for Nuclear Regulation undertakes all regulatory interaction with the Sellafield site licensee, Sellafield Ltd., against a strategy defined by the ONR Sellafield, Decommissioning Fuel and Waste Division. This inspection was one of a series of planned inspections for 2021/22, carried out in accordance with this strategy.
The purpose of this inspection was for ONR to examine the implementation of improvements to the safety case for the Redundant Settling Tank (RST) as required by an enforcement letter issued to Sellafield Ltd. in 2020 following a leak in the RST and the subsequent investigation in 2019. The inspection comprised of discussions with Sellafield Ltd. staff and a targeted plant walkdown.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
This inspection examined the implementation of improvements to the safety case at the RST facility at Sellafield Ltd. against the three licence conditions (LCs), listed below.
LC 23 requires Sellafield Ltd. to produce an adequate safety case to demonstrate the safety of its operations and to identify the conditions and limits necessary in the interests of safety.
LC 26 requires Sellafield Ltd. to ensure that no operations are carried out which may affect safety except under the control and supervision of suitably qualified and experienced persons appointed for that purpose by the licensee.
LC 34 requires Sellafield Ltd. to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that radioactive material and radioactive waste on the site is at all times adequately controlled or contained so that it cannot leak or otherwise escape from such control or containment.
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.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
Based on the evidence sampled at the time of this inspection it is my judgement that RST has adequately demonstrated compliance with LCs 23, 26 and 34. I consider in respect of LCs 23, 26 and 34 noting the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, that an inspection rating of Green (no formal action required) is merited here.
Conclusion of Intervention
No matters were identified that in my opinion could adversely affect nuclear safety. However, I identified minor shortfalls in respect of the implementation of specific operations, acknowledging the extant regulatory issue I will address these shortfalls there, removing the requirement to raise a regulatory issue here.