Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: July 2024
Aim of inspection
The purpose of this intervention was to conduct compliance inspections against LC10 and LC12 to assess the adequacy of the key elements of the Training and Competence programme to deliver safety significant front line performance.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC10 - Training - Rating: Green
- LC12 - Duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experienced persons - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
This inspection at Hartlepool power station focused on the arrangements (and the implementation of those arrangements) that have been established for licence condition (LC) 10 training, and LC12 duly authorised persons.
The inspection included discussions with a range of process owners, departmental staff, and representatives from the operations and maintenance teams. A sample of the adequacy of training material was reviewed (to ensure the ‘golden thread’ from the safety case through to operator information was apparent).
We gained insight into the station led initiatives to implement the four cornerstones, and we were able to understand more about the station-led programme to develop and train leaders across the station (linked to the ‘Proficiency’ cornerstone). This included some good examples of competence management aspect of this topic (including selection criteria based on personality traits and skills, ‘day in the life of’ activities across different departments, and behavioural competencies demonstrations) which we welcomed and noted as progressive.
The station’s training department has recently been in ‘enhanced elevation’ over the last few years, and it was apparent that they have worked very hard to recover from this. The staff are clearly engaged and have developed ownership of training and staff development. However, they are not yet at the stage of being able to ‘look ahead’ and have not updated their arrangements to support them with this stage of station life.
One regulatory recommendation was raised, and two observations made. The regulatory recommendation is:
- Hartlepool to review and document the vulnerability in staff knowledge management, in order to better understand and manage the risk.
This will also be raised at Fleet level so that the Corporate Centre (Corporate Support Function, CSF) can provide guidance and oversight of this (and across Fleet). This will be done through routine Corporate regulatory engagements.
Two additional observations were also raised:
- There was an apparent lack of rigour with record keeping on strategic initiatives. This will be followed up through routine regulatory engagements via the site inspector on site.
- There is a perceived one way communication across the organisation relating to training. Hartlepool may wish to consider the benefits of reviewing communication methods to ensure the engagement on these topics remains positive.
From the sample inspected, EDF Energy NGL adequately demonstrated the implementation of their arrangements established and an inspection rating of ‘Green’ was assigned for LC's 10 & 12.
Conclusion
LC10 (1) & LC12 (1)
From the sample inspected, EDF Energy NGL adequately demonstrated the implementation of their arrangements and an inspection rating of ‘Green’ was assigned for LC's 10 & 12.
I identified a number of points of good practice (e.g., leadership training) but also made a regulatory recommendation and number of observations, which were conveyed to the licensee in the post-inspection de-briefing meeting.