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Ultra Electronics Energy (Site) - Inspection ID: IR-51973

Executive summary

Date(s) of inspection

  • October 2022

Aim of inspection

ONR is the Enforcing Authority for Section 6 ( general duties of manufacturers) of the Health & Safety of Work Act 1974, in certain circumstances, for the provision of items to GB nuclear facilities. As part of our Enforcing Authority role ONR have developed a regulatory approach that while primarily focussing on the adequacy of the licensees’ supply chain management arrangements, also considers the adequacy of arrangements in its higher risk suppliers. The purpose of this vendor inspection is to gain confidence in ULTRA ENERGY’s arrangements for supply chain management (SCM) and procurement activities for nuclear safety related items or services.

Subject(s) of inspection

  • Health & Safety at Work Act, Section 6 (General duties of manufacturers) - RAG rating: Green

Purpose of intervention

The purpose of this vendor inspection was to sample Ultra Energy UK’s arrangements for supply chain management (SCM) and procurement activities for nuclear safety related items or services. The inspection considered evidence of the adequate implementation of the arrangements to inform a regulatory judgement regarding the vendors compliance with relevant good practice (RGP). The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is the enforcing authority for Section 6 (General Duties of Manufacturers) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, under certain circumstances, for products and services supplied to GB nuclear facilities. ONR has developed a proportionate vendor inspection approach as part of its supply chain regulatory activities, targeting suppliers whose products or services carry the highest nuclear safety consequences and those who supply multiple licensees. In line with this strategy a vendor inspection of Ultra Energy UK was planned as part of the 2022 vendor inspection programme.

Interventions carried out by ONR

ONR carried out a planned vendor inspection at Ultra Energy UK’s facilities in Wimborne, Dorset on 17 to 19 October 2022, utilising specialists from the following technical disciplines:
  • Supply Chain;
  • and Control and Instrumentation.
The inspection focused on both the adequacy of Ultra Energy UK’s documented supply chain management arrangements and the implementation of those arrangements in relation to three sample projects, all of which fell under Ultra Energy UK’s Operating Unit with EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Limited (NGL), Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) and Rolls-Royce Submarines Limited (RRSL) as the licensee customers. The inspection comprised of discussions with Ultra Energy staff, a plant walkdown, a review of records and the sampling of information contained within electronic databases and other documentation.

Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgements made

I found that Ultra Energy’s arrangements for SCM and procurement activities for nuclear safety related items or services, and the implementation of those arrangements met regulatory expectations. No significant matters were identified as requiring immediate regulatory attention in relation to Ultra Energy’s documented supply chain management arrangements and the implementation of those arrangements for the three sampled projects. My preliminary findings, including any minor shortfalls were shared with, acknowledged, and accepted by Ultra Energy’s senior management as part of normal inspection feedback.

Conclusion of intervention

On the basis of the evidence sampled, I judge that Ultra Energy’s arrangements for SCM and procurement activities for nuclear safety related items or services, and their implementation are adequate to ensure Ultra Energy meet relevant good practice. Minor shortfalls have been captured and will be addressed by Ultra Energy’s internal corrective action programme. Noting the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, it is my opinion that an inspection rating of GREEN is merited.