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Sellafield - Inspection ID: 50515

Executive summary

Date(s) of inspection: February 2023

Aim of inspection

The purpose of this inspection was to seek evidence in support of Sellafield Ltd.’s compliance with The Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (NSR19). The purpose of a Safeguards System Based Inspection (SSBI) inspection is to obtain assurance that the systems in place for NMACS are proportionate to and appropriate for the qualifying nuclear facility and the QNM within it.
 
as detailed in Section 5.5 of the ONR Safeguards Technical Inspection Guide SG-INSP-GD-001 Revision 3

Subject(s) of inspection

  • FSE 3 Competence Management - Rating: GREEN
  • FSE 5 Reliability, Resilience and Sustainability - Rating: GREEN
  • FSE 6 Measurement Programme and Control - Rating: GREEN
  • FSE 7 Nuclear Material Tracking - Rating: GREEN
  • FSE 8 Data Processing and Control - Rating: GREEN

Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made

In accordance with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) Safeguards’ integrated intervention strategy 2022/23 for Sellafield Ltd, ONR Safeguards undertakes a number of safeguards compliance inspections at the Sellafield site. An inspection was undertaken to assess Sellafield Ltd's compliance with the requirements of the Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (NSR19) in relation to Systems, Structures, and Components (SSCs) that provide a Nuclear Material Accountancy, Control, and Safeguards (NMACS) function. The inspection sampled NMACS SSCs within the Sellafield Product and Residue Store (SPRS), which comprises Material Balance Areas (MBAs) QS37/QS39. 

 
The inspection comprised of discussions with Sellafield Ltd  staff, sampling and review of Sellafield Ltd operating, accounting records and other source documentation, and plant walkdowns to check implementation of arrangements. It was carried out in line with ONR's guidance which can be found on ONR’s website (onr.org.uk). 

  

I raised two minor Regulatory Issues. One in response to an identified lack of resilience in the role of Nuclear Material Custodian (NMC) at SPRS   

The second in response to an identified lack of formally approved instructions for weekly maintenance checks, which are undertaken on the SPRS Data Management System (DMS) system; DMS is a fundamental system for NMAC within SPRS. 

  

I provided three pieces of regulatory advice relating to: minor updates in the QS37/39 ACP, Sellafield Ltd. to consider issuing a local work instruction for updating CNMAS following an inventory change in SPRS, and ONR's tracking of the resolution of discrepancies identified on CNMAS through regular engagements.

 
I made one Observation that the Sellafield Site ACP does not appear to be effectively captured as part of Sellafield Ltd. arrangements under LC22 modifications. I am highlighting this as regulatory intelligence to the nominated site inspector .

 

Based on the sampled evidence I judge Sellafield Ltd. is implementing appropriate and proportionate arrangements for nuclear material accountancy at QS37 and QS39 and have met the requirements for nuclear material accountancy set out in NSR19, specifically, Regulations 6, 10, 11, 12(1,2),14 and Schedule 2. Noting ONR guidance on inspection ratings, I am providing a GREEN rating for this inspection. 

 

Conclusion

In line with the ONR Inspection Rating Guide, based on the sampled evidence during the course of the intervention at Sellafield Ltd, I consider a rating of GREEN against the following as identified within the scope of inspection:
 
SPRS (MBA QS37/QS39); NSR 19 regulations 6 (1-4) , 9(1) , 10 (1) , 11(1-4) , 12 , Schedule 2 and ONMACSs FSEs 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8.