Sellafield - Inspection ID: 53250

I, the Site Inspector for the Spent Fuel Services Operating Unit at the Sellafield Site in Cumbria, supported by Fault Studies, Mechanical Engineering and Control and Instrumentation specialist inspectors undertook a system based inspection at the THORP Receipt and Storage Facility at the Sellafield Site. The inspection covered lifting, handling and criticality. I found that the safety case had been implemented with the thread through the safety assessments to the demonstration of compliance evidenced by Spent Fuel Services, personnel sampled for training were in date and appointed where required, and safety mechanisms, devices and circuits were connected and in good working order. The maintenance sampled was in date. The inspection covered five relevant licence conditions, and I rated each of them Green (no further action). I observed that the safety case in its current construct is complex, and I welcomed Sellafield Limited's progress in addressing this, with the aim of consolidating the clearance certificates.

I am of the opinion that the safety case related to lifting, handling and criticality is being implemented at the facility; although the current construct of the clearance certificates make it complex to understand (this is being addressed by SFS), SFS was able to demonstrate that its conditions and limits of safe operation are implemented by written instructions, and evidence of compliance was presented. Personnel sampled for training were in date for the activities I chose to inspect. SMDCs were properly connected and in good working order, and the plant is being maintained. Overall I rate the relevant LCs, 10, 23, 24, 27 and 28 as Green.