Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: June 2024
Aim of inspection
In accordance with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) Safeguards’ integrated intervention strategy 2024/25 for Sellafield Ltd, ONR Safeguards undertakes several of safeguards compliance inspections at the Sellafield site. Two major projects had just completed in these facilities changing day to day operations so 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 nuclear material accountancy and control arrangements within MBAs QS04 (Store 17) and QS25 (Magnox Plutonium Nitrate Conversion Plant) being implemented in a manner, which is proportionate to, and appropriate for the qualifying nuclear facility. The inspection targeted two key projects within the Special Nuclear Materials (North) Value Stream at Sellafield Ltd, "Finishing Line 4 Repack" and "Store 17 Retrievals (Phase 2)".
The purpose of this accountancy focussed inspection was to examine:
- operating and accounting records to establish a correct set of data and to provide confidence to ONR that the operator has an adequate nuclear material accountancy and control system established
- the specific arrangements and procedures in place for nuclear material accountancy
as detailed in Section 5 of the ONR Safeguards Technical Inspection Guide SG-INSP-GD-001 Revision 3.
Subject(s) of inspection
- FSE 10 Quality Assurance and Control for NMACS - 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
- NSR19 Reg06 - Accountancy and control of qualifying nuclear material - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg09 - Operation of an accountancy and control plan - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg10 - Operating records - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg11 - Accounting records - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg12 - Accounting reports - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg14 - Inventory change report - Rating: Green
- NSR19 Reg20 - Weight units and categories of qualifying nuclear materials - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The inspection comprised of discussions with Sellafield Ltd staff, sampling and a review of Sellafield Ltd operating, accounting records and other source documentation, as well as a plant walkdown to check the implementation of arrangements within the facilities. The inspection was carried out in line with ONR's guidance which can be found on ONR’s website (onr.org.uk).
I provided one piece of Regulatory Advice relating to the impacts of moving a Lid Tightening Station (LTS). Moving a LTS requires the weigh balance to then be re-calibrated and re-certified, though this impact is not currently captured in any written arrangements including its calibration certification. I prompted Sellafield Ltd. to consider capturing these impacts in an appropriate written manner to ensure plant personnel remain aware of them.
Based on the sampled evidence, I judge Sellafield Ltd. is implementing appropriate and proportionate arrangements for nuclear material accountancy at QS04 and QS25 in line with ONR's regulatory expectations outlined in FSE 6, 7, 8 and 10 of ONMACS, and have met the requirements for nuclear material accountancy set out in NSR19 Regulations 6, 9, 10, 11, 12(1,2),14 and 20. 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:
Store 17 (MBA QS04); NSR 19 regulations 6 (1-4) , 9, 10 (1) , 11(1-4), 12, 14 , 20, Schedule 2 and ONMACSs FSEs 6, 7, 8 and 10.
Magnox Plutonium Nitrate Conversion Plant (MBA QS25); NSR 19 regulations 6 (1-4) , 9, 10 (1) , 11(1-4), 12, 14 , 20, Schedule 2 and ONMACSs FSEs 6, 7, 8 and 10.