- Site: Springfields
- IR number: 21-193
- Date: March 2022
- LC numbers: 32, 33, 34
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This inspection was carried out at Springfields Fuels Ltd (SFL) jointly with the Environment Agency focusing on the management of radioactive waste on the Magnox island demolition project and on site storage arrangements. It was a planned inspection identified on the 2021/22 inspection schedule. The inspection focused on the requirements of Licence Condition (LC) 32 (Accumulation of Radioactive Waste), LC33 (Disposal of radioactive waste) and LC34 (Leakage and escape of radioactive material and radioactive waste).
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
This inspection focused on compliance against LC32, LC33 and LC34. It comprised of discussions with staff, review of documents plus an inspection of the facilities. The inspection was carried out in line with ONR’s Technical Inspection Guides (TIG), (Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) Compliance inspection - Technical inspection guides).
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
Not applicable as this was not a System Based Inspection.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
Regarding LC32, based on the evidence sampled as part of this inspection, I judged that the required standard is met and an inspection rating of Green.
Regarding LC33, SFL provided documentation prior to the intervention which was reviewed. This was deemed adequate in response to the requirements of this LC and an inspection rating of Green was deemed appropriate.
Regarding LC34, based on the evidence sampled as part of this inspection, I looked at the controls in place to ensure there were suitable systems in place covering the raft where radioactive material and waste is stored. I judged that the required standard was met and the inspection rating was Green, though I raised one Level 4 Regulatory Issue. This issue covered the requirements for SFL to justify that the current packages used to store radioactive material and waste meet the safety case requirements and ONR LC34 TIG.
Conclusion of Intervention
Based on the evidence sampled I consider that an inspection rating of Green was appropriate. One Level 4 (lowest level) Regulatory Issue (RI10753) has been raised to ensure that SFL has evidence that the packages used to store radioactive material and waste on the raft met the safety case and ONR LC34 TIG requirements.
It was noted that the ongoing embargo of very low level waste consignments to Suez Clifton Marsh landfill was starting to have an effect of accumulation of radioactive waste on site. SFL had implemented mitigations using another landfill site, but this might have financial implications to the ongoing decommissioning projects in the long run if Clifton Marsh does not become available again.