Executive summary
Inspection date(s): 09/08/2022 - 10/08/2022
Purpose of inspection
To gain confidence that Retrievals (Pile Fuel Cladding Silo (PFCS)) are compliant with Sellafield Ltd’s arrangements for Licence Condition (LC7) – Incidents on site and (LC32) – Accumulation of Radioactive Waste.
Subject(s) of inspection
The following actives were the subject of this inspection:
- LC 07 - Incidents on the site (RAG rating: Green)
- LC 32 - Accumulation of radioactive waste (RAG rating: Green)
Key findings
Purpose of intervention
The purpose of this inspection was to gain confidence that Retrievals (Pile Fuel Cladding Silo (PFCS)) are compliant with Sellafield Ltd’s arrangements for Licence Condition (LC) 7 – Incidents on site and LC32 – Accumulation of Radioactive Waste.
Interventions Carried out by ONR
The inspection team comprised the Site Inspector for PFCS, a Nuclear Liabilities Regulation Nuclear Equivalent Inspector, and a Radiation Protection Specialist Inspector. ONR undertook a planned two-day inspection of the PFCS arrangements for compliance with LC7 and LC32 on the 9 and 10 August 2022. An additional follow-up session was held on the 6 September 2022 in order to complete the inspection as key members of Sellafield Ltd staff were unable to attend the inspection in August.
The inspection comprised discussions with Sellafield Ltd. personnel, review of records, documents and processes and a targeted walk down of PFCS focusing on waste storage areas. Consideration of silo waste was outside the scope of this inspection.
Key findings, Inspector’s Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
Assurance was provided that Sellafield Ltd. (Retrievals (PFCS)) understands what the requirements are in terms of compliance with the identified LCs and that the Sellafield Ltd. Corporate arrangements are being appropriately complied with. No significant matters were identified as requiring immediate regulatory attention.
The representatives of the licensee had an effective understanding of the requirements of these Licence Conditions, and of the site arrangements for their implementation.
No regulatory issues were raised however, regulatory advice was provided to ensure sustained compliance. This was discussed with the licensee at the time of the inspection.
Conclusion of intervention
From the evidence sampled during the inspection, I consider that PFCS has effectively implemented its arrangements for compliance with LC 32. Regulatory advice was provided to ensure sustained compliance in some specifically identified areas; this will be followed up via routine regulatory engagement. I have assigned an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) to be appropriate for compliance against LC 32 – Accumulation of Radioactive Waste.
From the evidence sampled during the inspection, I consider that PFCS has effectively implemented its arrangements for compliance with LC 7 and have assigned an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) to be appropriate for compliance against LC 7; Incidents on the site.
Judgements made
From the evidence sampled during the inspection, I consider that PFCS has effectively implemented its arrangements for compliance with LC 32. Regulatory advice was provided to ensure sustained compliance in some specifically identified areas; this will be followed up via routine regulatory engagement. I have assigned an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) to be appropriate for compliance against LC 32 – Accumulation of Radioactive Waste.
From the evidence sampled during the inspection, I consider that PFCS has effectively implemented its arrangements for compliance with LC 7 and have assigned an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) to be appropriate for compliance against LC 7; Incidents on the site.