Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
- January 2023
Aim of inspection
The aim of this inspection was to gain assurances that the licensee’s arrangements for the control of electrical safety on the Hinkley Point C (HPC) site are adequate and that those arrangements are being implemented on site in a suitable and sufficient way. This included sampling the arrangements of the licensee, its arrangements for controlling contractors on site and then sampling the implementation of those arrangements on site. Electrical safety on site is a significant conventional health and safety hazard due to its prevalence and the number and complexity of the systems used. For this reason, through this inspection, we sought to gain confidence that the hazard is being properly controlled.
The inspection was led by the ONR installation assurance lead and supported by specialist inspectors from electrical and conventional health and safety. It included a review of the systems for control of electrical safety on site, and included demonstrations made by the operatives in field electrical work and in control room situations.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC 19 - Construction or installation of new plant
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
Control-room and sub-station visits provided assurance that the electrical hazards on site were being controlled adequately in accordance with the requirements cascaded from the licensee, within the sample taken.
An explanation of an incident where an operative received a 415V shock was given. Reporting and control of this incident lies outside of the scope of this inspection.
Conventional safety concerns were raised during the walkdown of the site; these related to the loading of a telehandler and the potential use of thinners in a confined space. These were dealt with satisfactorily during the walkdown and the responses and attitudes from the dutyholders affected were adequate.
Conclusion
The scope of the inspection was covered adequately during the time on site and demonstrated that, for the activities sampled, the licensee's systems for the control of electrical safety are adequate and are being applied adequately. The attitude and actions of the dutyholders on site when challenged were good with safety matters addressed appropriately when identified by ONR inspectors.
This inspection was rated Green against LC19.