Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: January 2024
Aim of inspection
This was a radioactive waste inspection carried out jointly between ONR and the SEPA. The aim of this inspection was to cover Licence Condition (LC) 32 (Accumulation of radioactive waste) and LC 34 (Leakage and escape). The scope included the current status of solid low-level waste (LLW) and the management of liquid waste. It also looked at the records to ensure safe future management of higher activity waste (HAW).
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC32 - Accumulation of radioactive waste - Rating: Green
- LC34 - Leakage and escape of radioactive material and radioactive waste - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
LC32
Information on LLW is recorded on a database which includes all storage locations, and can show a list of all items in any of the storage areas. The information recorded on the database meets regulatory expectations for the types of information to be recorded in a waste inventory. I checked a selection of waste containers and confirmed that the information was accurate. Waste is segregated at source which reduces the amount that is categorised as radwaste. Soft waste is shredded and in-drum compacted to reduce radwaste disposal volume. A recent campaign of tank clean outs used filters to reduce the amount of solid radwaste sent for incineration. Gaps in the records for HAW have been identified by NGL's internal assurance. I agreed that ONR will follow up progress to closing them out.
LC34
Tanks for storing liquid waste are bunded and the tank room acts as secondary containment. Systems to detect leaks is via an alarm system that goes off in the control room and local to the tank. Procedures for managing the alarms was easily available to the operators in the control room. Daily walkdowns check that the tank levels shown in the control room are accurate. Upgrades to tank monitoring equipment (sump pumps, level probes, and viewing windows) have been planned and will start soon.
Conclusion
Arrangements for managing solid waste at Torness adequately reduce the quantity and activity of waste stored on site, using segregation, minimisation and characterisation. Shortfalls in the records for HAW have been identified and are being addressed. Torness have adequate arrangements in place for detecting and responding to leaks and have embarked on a series of equipment improvements. Therefore, I have rated this inspection green, no formal action, against LC32 (Accumulation of radioactive waste) and LC34 (Leakage and escape).