Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: April 2024
Aim of inspection
The aim of the inspection was to carry out a readiness review of NRS's proposal to commence work on sampling of the Intermediate Level Waste pond skips. This was part of the wider work to release a regulatory holdpoint, which has been placed on this activity.
Subject(s) of inspection
- IRR17 - Rating: Green
- LC18 - Radiological protection - Rating: Green
- LC23 - Operating rules - Rating: Amber
- LC24 - Operating instructions - Rating: Amber
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
I conducted a readiness inspection associated with the regulatory hold-point on the pond skip characterisation project. The inspection targeted the licensees arrangements for the proposed activity, which includes the movement of the skips from their storage location into the ponds building, and for a number of samples to be removed from the skips. The inspection was devised to sample the licensees arrangements for:
- the radiological protection measures that are described in the radiological risk assessment
- the operating limits and conditions and associated operating instructions for the task
- the documentation of the overall process
- contingency arrangements.
Dungeness A has met my expectations associated with LC18 and IRR17 for the pond skips characterisation project. However, the licensee has not adequately developed suitable documents that describe the relevant limits and conditions or operating instructions for this activity. I judge that it is therefore not appropriate to release the regulatory holdpoint associated with this piece of work until these areas have been rectified.
Conclusion
I consider that the expectations associated with LC18 and IRR17 for the pond skips characterisation project are adequate. However, the licensee has not adequately developed suitable documents that describe the relevant limits and conditions or operating instructions. I judge that it is therefore not appropriate to release the regulatory holdpoint associated with this activity until these areas have been rectified, and I therefore judge that a rating of amber (seek improvement) to be appropriate for this inspection.