Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
Aim of inspection
The broad aims of this inspection are as follows:For ONR to gain confidence that:
- Suitable and sufficient management arrangements are in place to ensure that both full-time staff and contractors within MPF are adequately trained to safely perform the duties assigned to them by AWE.
- The identified training arrangements have been adequately implemented such that all training requirements have been identified and that all staff in defined roles within MPF have been suitably trained and that their training is up to date.
- Training and competence is assured prior to setting individuals to work
- Governance is in place to ensure that adverse trends linked to competence and training are detected through analysis of incidents etc and any identified shortcomings addressed.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC10 - Training - Rating: Green
- LC12 - Duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experienced persons - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) undertakes regulatory interaction within the Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) site licensee, against a strategy defined by the ONR Operating Facilities Weapons subdivision. In accordance with that strategy, a compliance inspection of LC10 (Training) and LC12 (Duly Authorised Persons (DAPs) and Suitably Qualified and Experienced Persons (SQEPs)) was carried out in the Main Production Facility (MPF) which is part of AWE's Plutonium Technology Centre (PTC).
The purpose of this inspection was for ONR to examine whether the licensee’s arrangements for ensuring compliance with LC10 and LC12 are adequately implemented, with a focus on the Main Production Facility (MPF). The inspection comprised several targeted discussions with AWE staff and a review of a sample of training records and other relevant documentation.
We identified no shortfalls in relation to LC10 and LC12 compliance. Based on the evidence sampled during the inspection, we judge that AWE has adequately implemented suitable and sufficient LC10 and LC12 arrangements in MPF such that we have confidence that all personnel engaged in safety-related tasks are suitably trained and qualified to safely carry out the tasks appointed to them. A secondary focus of this inspection was on the adequacy of training for non-facility personnel (e.g., external contractors). From the evidence sampled and from our discussions with key facility personnel we were satisfied that contractor SQEP training criteria are subject to the same degree of rigour as that applied to the training for MPF personnel.
Conclusion
From our samples of the training arrangements and our discussions with MPF personnel, we identified no shortfalls in relation to LC10 and LC12 compliance. Based on the evidence sampled, we judge that AWE has adequately implemented suitable and sufficient LC10 and LC12 arrangements such that we have confidence that all MPF / PTC personnel engaged in safety-related tasks are suitably qualified and trained and to carry out their appointed tasks safely. As such, we rated the LC10/LC12 inspection as ‘Green – Adequate’.