Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
Aim of inspection
In accordance with the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s (ONR’s) Sellafield Strategy, each year ONR performs a series of planned compliance inspections of selected licence conditions, targeted at those facilities with significant importance to nuclear safety. One such inspection was undertaken to assess the Pile Fuel Cladding Silo's (PFCS) compliance with Sellafield Limited’s corporate arrangements for Licence Condition 12 (Duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experience persons) and 26 (Control and Supervision of Operations) on 6 and 7 December 2022.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC12 - Duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experienced persons - Rating - Green
- LC 12 - Duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experienced persons - Rating - Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The inspection comprised discussions with Sellafield Limited staff, review of records and observations of activities on plant.
For LC12 I saw evidence that the on shift Duly Authorised Persons (DAP) responsible for control and supervision of PFCS and the Authorised Person (Electrical ) had both been appointed and trained for their roles in line with corporate arrangements. Their training records and those of the Safe System of Work Controller's were up to date. I confirmed that the Minimum Safe Manning Levels (MSML) had been met by Suitably Qualified and Experienced persons (SQEP).
For LC26, by observing a shift handover (from outgoing to incoming DAPs and Control Room Operators and the subsequent team shift brief), I gained confidence that operations that may affect safety are carried out under the control and supervision of Suitably Qualified and Experienced Persons (SQEPs) appointed for that purpose by the licensee. This was reinforced by observing the Plant Operations Control Centre (POCC) daily meeting which I judged to be disciplined, structured and time focused. I found that the shift logs had been appropriately filled in and that compliance records had been appropriately completed and signed off by the DAP. I inspected the information on the nuclear safety dashboard to confirm that it was current and meaningful. The DAP was able to correctly discuss how they would respond to a fault scenario.
I was content that a plant electrical isolation that was sampled was found to be properly controlled and accurately documented.
Conclusion
On the basis of the evidence sampled at the time of the inspection, I judge that Sellafield Limited has adequately implemented its arrangements for LC12 and 26 in PFCS. Noting the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, it is my opinion that an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is appropriate.