Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
June 2023Aim of inspection
The aim of the inspection was to ensure that DNB is exercising appropriate control and supervision of defueling operations focusing on central control room standards.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC 26 - Control and supervision of operations - Rating: GREEN
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
In accordance with the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s (ONR’s) Dungeness B (DNB) intervention plan, ONR performs a series of planned compliance inspections of identified licence conditions (LCs) and other applicable legislation, to ensure that DNB is meeting its legal requirements.
LC26 requires that “ensure that no operations are carried out which may affect safety except under the control and supervision of suitably qualified and experienced persons appointed for that purpose by the licensee.”
The aim of the inspection was to ensure that DNB is exercising appropriate control and supervision of defueling operations focusing on central control room standards.
This intervention involved visiting the central control room out of office hours to observe the shift handover/start of shift brief followed by observing the shift operational and routine activities.
Conclusions
The central control room handover, configuration checks and start of shift briefs observed were carried out to a high standard in accordance with Dungeness B’s arrangements.
For a sampled task the pre-job brief observed was carried out in an effective manner and was appropriate to the task
Overall log keeping and other operational activities are being completed to an appropriate standard
The consistency of alarm management in relation to standing alarms and their release could be improved
Conclusion
I judge that an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is appropriate for LC26. This is because overall I found that DNB was able to demonstrate that it is appropriately implementing its LC26 arrangements in relation to control room standards. I did however find that aspects of alarm management could be improved and have raised a level 4 regulatory issue (the lowest level) to ensure appropriate oversight of these improvements.