- Site: AWE Burghfield
- Inspection ID: 51947
- Date: September 2022
- LC numbers: 2, 16
Executive summary
Purpose of inspection
This inspection at AWE Burghfield will be undertaken as part of a programme of planned inspections for 2022/23. The scope of the intervention was aligned to the ONR AWE Strategy.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC2 - Marking of the site boundary (Rating: Green)
- LC16 - Site plans, designs and specifications (Rating: Green)
Key findings
The purpose of this intervention was to undertake a planned Licence Condition compliance inspection at the Atomic Weapons Establishment Plc (AWE) Burghfield Nuclear Licenced Site (BNLS) against Licence Condition (LC) 2 – Marking of the site boundary and (LC) 16 Site plans, designs and specifications to confirm adequate implementation of the LC arrangements.
The inspection comprised the examination of the LC2 and LC16 arrangements, a walk around of the BNLS site perimeter and interviews with staff.
This was a joint inspection with DNSR. The AWE Internal Regulator was not present but the BNLS Safety Representativesattended the inspection. The AWE Lead for the inspection was the Head of ATC.
Licence conditions are inspected against ONR’s
Technical Inspection Guides (TIG).
I carried out an LC2 and LC16 compliance inspection at the AWE BNLS. I reviewed the management arrangementsfor LC2 and LC16 and was able to establish the “golden thread” in the management system for these LCs.
I walked the BNLS site perimeter to ensure that the map of the Licensed Nuclear Site was accurate and that the site was secured from unauthorised persons. It was my opinion that the LC2 arrangements were adequate and fences or other means used to prevent unauthorised access were properly maintained.
I noted that the licensee had already identified a shortfall associated with the BNLS fence line boundary once the construction phase is complete; I have raised an ONR Regulatory Issue at Level 4 to monitor progress against this shortfall.
I was briefed on the site plans, designs and specifications documents to comply with LC16. I inspected the arrangements to ensure that an accurate plan and site schedule were sent to ONR and if any changes were made to these. In my opinion the site plan was adequate and accurately showed the site boundary and the operations associated there were adequately documented in the site schedule.
In my opinion, the Licensee's arrangements for compliance with LC2 and LC16 are adequate. I, therefore, conclude that this inspection identified no matters that may impact significantly on nuclear safety and, noting the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, that an inspection rating of GREEN (no formal action required) is merited for the licence conditions inspected.
Noting that the post construction safety significance is minor, I have raised an ONR Regulatory Issue at Level 4 to seek sustained compliance with the LC2 corporate arrangements.
Judgements made
I judge that AWE has adequately demonstrated compliance against Licence Condition (LC) 2 – Marking of the site boundary and (LC) 16 Site plans, designs and specifications for the chosen sample, meeting relevant good practices and providing supporting evidence, and following their own arrangements (AWE/MAN.SYS/4246, AWE/MAN.SYS/4246 & AWE/MAN.6068). Specifically, that where we sampled, our expectations (derived from the TIG for LC2 - ONR Ref: NS-INS-INSP-GD-02 and the TIG for LC16 – ONR Ref: NS-INSP-GD-016) were met.
I therefore consider, noting the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, that an inspection rating of GREEN (no formal action required) is merited for the licence condition inspected.