Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: May 2024
Aim of inspection
The purpose of this Inspection is to sample evidence of implementation of the Sellafield Limited arrangements for compliance with Licence Condition (LC) 26 and LC 28, specifically within the Liquid Active Effluent Management Group (LAEMG) at the Sellafield 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 on 7-8 May, 2024.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC26 - Control and supervision of operations - Rating: Green
- LC28 - Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
I, the site inspector for Low Active Effluent Management Group (LAEMG), undertook a Licence Condition (LC) 26 (Control and supervision of operations) and LC28 (Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing) inspection at the Sellafield site. The inspection focused on seeking assurance that Sellafield Limited is compliant with its arrangements for LC26 and LC28 at LAEMG focussing on lifting devices.
Overall, I found that LAEMG, with the exception of one area, was compliant with the arrangements. LAEMG demonstrated that operations are carried out under the control and supervision of suitably qualified and experienced persons appointed for that purpose by the licensee.
Overall, I found that LAEMG, with the exception of one area, was compliant with the arrangements. LAEMG demonstrated that operations are carried out under the control and supervision of suitably qualified and experienced persons appointed for that purpose by the licensee.
LAEMG also demonstrated that adequate arrangements are in place for the regular and systematic examination, inspection, maintenance and testing of all plant in our sample, which may affect safety.
I identified one shortfall requiring regulatory attention: the system health reports did not meet regulatory expectations compared with RGP. I have raised a Level 4 Regulatory Issue (RI-12096) to track improvement of this issue.
I identified one shortfall requiring regulatory attention: the system health reports did not meet regulatory expectations compared with RGP. I have raised a Level 4 Regulatory Issue (RI-12096) to track improvement of this issue.
Conclusion
With the exception of one area, system health reports, I was satisfied that LAEMG is compliant with the Sellafield Ltd corporate arrangements and compliant with the requirements of LC26 and LC28. For the system health reports, I have raised a level 4 (lowest level) regulatory issue to address the matter (RI 12096). Noting that the shortfall is in relation to system health reports, rather than the operations and maintenance of the equipment I inspected, I consider an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) to be proportionate and appropriate. The Head of Operations accepted my findings and observations at the wash up meeting.