Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
- January 2023
Aim of inspection
This is a planned inspection of EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd.’s (NGL’s) Heysham 1 Power Station, undertaken as part of the planned intervention strategy for the Operating Facilities Division (OFD) of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). The work will be carried out in accord with the planned inspection programme contained in the Heysham 1 Integrated Intervention Strategy (IIS) for 2022/23.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC 11 - Emergency arrangements - rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
As part of this intervention I formed part of a team of ONR inspectors, including the nominated site inspector, to carry out an inspection to examine the licensee’s implementation of its arrangements which are necessary to demonstrate compliance with Licence Condition 11 (LC11) ‘Emergency Arrangements’.
I, supported by a team of ONR inspectors, observed the level 1 (on-site) emergency exercise demonstration named ‘Astra’. The scenario for exercise ‘Astra’ was a conventional emergency, initiated by a leak on the Hydran system, plant realignment and multiple casualties all requiring treatment and rescue.
The exercise was actively supported by some of the Lancashire emergency services.
There were a number of positive observations and some opportunities for improvement which I communicated to the Station and EDF Corporate management. Overall however, I considered the exercise scenario provided suitable challenge and the licensee satisfied regulatory expectations with respect to the adequacy of the station emergency arrangements. I have rated LC11 as Green – no further regulatory action required.
Conclusion
In my opinion the planning for the exercise was comprehensive, and the scenario was sufficiently challenging for Heysham 1 site to adequately demonstrate its arrangements for dealing with an accident arising on the site. I identified a number of points of good practice but also made a number of observations, which were conveyed to the licensee in the post-exercise de-briefing meeting.
Taking into account the exercise planning/scenario and the observations made by the ONR team during the exercise, I consider the emergency exercise to be an adequate demonstration of the site's emergency arrangements made under Licence Condition 11.
There were no findings from this inspection and no additional regulatory action is needed over and above the planned interventions at Heysham 1 Power Station as set out in the Integrated Intervention Strategy, which will continue as planned