Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
May 2023Aim of inspection
To sample evidence of implementation of the Sellafield Limited arrangements for compliance with Licence Conditions (LCs) 10, 12, 24 and 26, specifically within the Site Ion Exchange Effluent Plant (SIXEP) at the Sellafield Limited site in West Cumbria, in order to inform a regulatory judgement regarding the licensee’s compliance with its legal duties under the nuclear site licence.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC 10 - Training - Rating: GREEN
- LC 12 - Duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experienced persons - Rating: GREEN
- LC 24 - Operating instructions - Rating: GREEN
- LC 26 - Control and supervision of operations - Rating: GREEN
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The purpose of this inspection was to sample evidence of implementation of the licensee’s corporate arrangements for Licence Conditions 10 (Training), 12 (Duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experienced persons), 24 (Operating instructions) and 26 (Control and supervision of operations), specifically within the Site Ion Exchange Effluent Plant (SIXEP), in order to inform a regulatory judgement regarding compliance with legal duties under the nuclear site licence. It was not intended to judge the adequacy of the licensee’s corporate arrangements, which is done separately.
No matters were identified as requiring immediate regulatory attention.
Although the training in SIXEP has not yet moved to the Systematic Approach to Training (SAT) model, we were satisfied that it is adequate to fulfil the requirements of LC10; line managers are able to view the training records of their staff to ensure that duties are only allocated to suitably qualified and experienced persons.
We judged that those undertaking control and supervision activities have been appropriately competency assessed and appointed in line with the arrangements for LC12.
We reviewed several types of operating instructions in accordance with the requirements of LC24 and were satisfied that they were clear. We gave regulatory advice regarding the review of the Category 1 operator instructions to ensure they meet the requirements of the company standard.
The Conduct of Operations improvement programme appeared to be making good progress against the SIXEP ‘Route to Green’ plan for compliance with LC26. Communication during plant operations meetings and duly authorised persons handover meetings was sufficiently detailed. We were also satisfied that the plant was put into a quiescent state whenever the requirements of the Minimum Safe Manning Levels were not able to be met.
Based on the evidence sampled at the time of the inspection, we found that Sellafield Ltd is broadly compliant with the licensee’s corporate arrangements for LCs 10, 12, 24 and 26 at SIXEP. We therefore judge that Sellafield Ltd has adequately implemented the licensee’s corporate arrangements made for compliance with the Nuclear Site Licence, with only minor shortfalls identified; consequently we rate this inspection as GREEN (No Formal Action).
Conclusion
Based on the evidence sampled at the time of the inspection, we found that Sellafield Ltd is broadly compliant with the licensee’s corporate arrangements for LCs 10, 12, 24 and 26 at SIXEP. We therefore judge that Sellafield Ltd has adequately implemented the licensee’s corporate arrangements made for compliance with the Nuclear Site Licence, with only minor shortfalls identified; consequently we rate this inspection as GREEN (No Formal Action).