Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
Aim of inspection
To build ONRs regulatory confidence that the licensee is ready and able to resume operations on the A** Process Line 1 following installation and commissioning of the Thermal Watchdog. This will support ONRs permission decision for HPCP reference A**-HPX.
As part of the inspection ONR also aims to inspect compliance against LC12 for DAPs and SQEPs to follow up on minor issues noted in previous inspections.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC12 - Duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experienced persons - Rating: Green
- LC22 - Modification or experiment on existing plant - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
This inspection was carried out as part of ONR's assessment of the AWE request to restart A** Line 1 operations, to build ONRs regulatory confidence that the licensee is ready to safely resume operations on the process line following installation of the Thermal Watchdog. The inspection was carried out using ONRs guidance for readiness inspections (ONR-INSP-GD-059 Appendix 1M) and for Licence Condition 12 (NS-INSP-GD-012).
The inspection focussed on the dominant process hazard, to ensure that the key safety case requirements have been flowed down and implemented on plant, and that the necessary people/plant/procedural controls are in place to ensure safety.
ONR also inspected compliance against LC12 for DAPs and SQEPs to follow up on minor issues noted in previous inspections at AWE and to ensure that for the process line 1 operations all operational personnel and supervising staff were adequately trained and competent to carry out their tasks.
Conclusion
On the basis of the evidence sampled, I judge that AWE demonstrated and provided evidence for compliance against its LC22 arrangements for bringing the A** Process Line 1 back into operation with the thermal watchdog installed. In accordance with ONR guidance on inspection ratings, it is my opinion that an inspection rating of green (no formal action) is appropriate. I also judged compliance with LC12 to be green.
I judge that the strategy to permission release of A**HPX based on the evidence gained from inspection is still valid subject to AWEs completion of the remaining actions identified.
The structured approach for DAP appointment was further evidence to support the closure of Regulatory issue 9047.