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Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston - Inspection ID: 52012

Executive summary

Date(s) of inspection:

  • November 2022

Aim of inspection

The purpose of this inspection was for ONR to assess the adequacy of AWE’s supply chain management (SCM), procurement and assurance arrangements, as applied to high-risk contracts for the acquisition (i.e., specifying, production and delivery) of nuclear safety related items or services.

Subject(s) of inspection

  • LC17 - Management systems - Rating: Green
  • Overall Inspection Rating - Rating: Green

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

The purpose of this inspection was for ONR to assess the adequacy of AWE’s supply chain management (SCM), procurement and assurance arrangements, as applied to high-risk contracts for the acquisition (i.e., specifying, production and delivery) of nuclear safety related items or services. This intervention relates to Licence Condition 17 (LC17), which requires a Licensee to make and implement a management system that gives due priority to safety. A fundamental element of these arrangements is the management of a Licensee’s supply chain management arrangements that are important to safety. As part of its evidence-based approach and to inform its regulatory judgement, ONR engaged in discussion with relevant AWE supply chain, quality and project management personnel and sampled current project arrangements.

Conclusion

ONR was satisfied that AWE was able to demonstrate that it had made and implemented adequate supply chain management arrangement in accordance with regulatory expectations. This included:
  • The deployment of Intelligent Customer (IC) oversight across its current Infrastructure Project Delivery.
  • The application of learning in its contracts and the deployment of adequate safety culture.
  • Demander (those responsible for procurement) implementation and the determination and application of assurance activities to projects.
ONR highlighted two minor shortfalls which would be managed through regular ONR engagement, without formal regulatory action. Based on sampled evidence, ONR rated the inspection as ‘Green’ (No Formal Action).