Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
- February 2023
Aim of inspection
The aim of the intervention is to inspect compliance with site Licence Condition 11 (emergency arrangements) at EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd’s Heysham 2 power station. The inspection is in accordance with ONR’s integrated intervention strategy for the site. ONR technical inspection guide NS-INSP-GD-011 Issue 7.1 ‘LC11 - On-site Emergency Arrangements’ will be used as the basis for the inspection.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC11 - Emergency arrangements - Rating: Amber
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The purpose of this intervention was to undertake a licence condition (LC) compliance inspection at EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd.’s (NGL’s) Heysham 2 power station. The inspection was conducted in accordance with the planned Integrated Intervention Strategy (IIS) for 2021/22. The nominated site inspector for Heysham 2 and the operating reactors lead for emergency arrangements carried out a planned on-site inspection against Licence condition (LC) 11 – emergency arrangements. The inspection was performed in accordance with ONR guidance, which can be found at www.onr.org.uk/operational/tech_insp_guides/index.htm. The inspection focused on the adequacy of the emergency equipment and facilities at Heysham 2 and targeted:
- System condition: examine the installation, condition, availability and operability of equipment and facilities.
- System performance: examine self-assessment and oversight of system performance, looking for evidence of proactive management of system issues.
- Maintenance: examine evidence of periodic planned maintenance of equipment and facilities, including functional testing.
Conclusion
Based on the discussions and evidence sampled, we judged that there are underlying deficiencies and shortfalls with the licensee's arrangements with regard to emergency equipment under Licence Condition (LC) 11 (Emergency Arrangements). Notably much of the maintenance testing did not fully test the safety function of the equipment and some 3rd party recommendations relating to the emergency gamma plume monitoring system (EPGMS) reliability had not been actioned. We therefore judged that an inspection rating of Amber (seek improvement) was merited for compliance against LC11 (emergency arrangements). We have written to site detailing our findings and regulatory issues have been created to track the resolution of these. The licensee has responded positively to the findings and is addressing the issues in a timely manner.