Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: September 2024
Aim of inspection
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) undertakes all regulatory interaction with the Sellafield site licensee (Sellafield Ltd (SL)) against a strategy defined by the ONR Sellafield, Decommissioning, Fuel and Waste (SDFW) Division.
In accordance with this strategy, an inspection of the implementation of Sellafield Ltd’s quality management and supply chain management arrangements for the manufacture and supply of Self-shielded boxes (SSBs) is planned, including sampling of them within the supply chain.
The aim of this themed inspection is to evaluate the adequacy of the supply chain and quality management arrangements for the supply of self-shielded boxes (SSBs) from procurement through to delivery. This includes sampling Sellafield Ltd’s (SL) supply chain and supplier management arrangements to ensure the safety case and contract quality requirements are adequately cascaded and implemented within the supply chain.
ONR’s expectation is that where weaknesses are identified that require action SL will promulgate good practices.
The inspection will also sample the planned management improvement and actions taken as a result of Regulatory Issue (RI) 10565 “Minor compliance shortfall in Sellafield Ltd’s intelligent customer capability for the specialist casting activities for the Self-Shielded Box procurement”. The RI identified shortfalls in Sellafield Ltd. Intelligent Customer capability in 2022.
Subject(s) of inspection
- Health & Safety at Work Act, Section 6 (General duties of manufacturers) - Rating: Green
- LC6 - Documents, records, authorities and certificates - Rating: Green
- LC17 - Management systems - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The purpose of this inspection was to seek assurance that Sellafield Ltd. has implemented adequate supply chain and quality management arrangements for the supply of self-shielded boxes (SSBs) and to inform a regulatory judgement regarding the licensee’s compliance with relevant statutory provisions and good practice.
This included sampling the Sellafield Ltd. supply chain and supplier management arrangements to ensure the contract quality and relevant manufacturing specification requirements are adequately cascaded and implemented within the SSB supply chain.
The inspection was undertaken by a team comprising of ONR Supply Chain specialist Nuclear Safety Inspectors.
The inspection sampled the adequacy of the Sellafield Ltd. documented quality management and supply chain management arrangements from procurement through to the delivery of SSBs.
Part one of this inspection was undertaken remotely (18 September 2024) which focussed on Sellafield Ltd. and the main contractor Westinghouse Electric Company UK (WEC) arrangements. Part two (01 October 2024) and part three (02 October 2024) of the inspection was carried out in person at the WEC suppliers manufacturing facilities for SSBs. The suppliers are Goodwin International (GI) machining and assembly, and Goodwin Steel Castings (GSC) castings.
Based on the discussions held and evidence sampled during the inspection, examples of good practice were identified which included a risk-based approach for surveillance programmes, flow down of the contract quality and specification requirements, and management of documents and records. I acknowledge that further developments are planned to deliver increased effectiveness in the oversight and surveillance arrangements, and the provision of lifetime records.
I identified minor shortfalls relating to SSB supply chain management model and the identification of the required assurance arrangements, and material certification requirements for procured materials.
I provided regulatory advice relating to identified areas for improvement, and I raised a number of observations for Sellafield Ltd. consideration which will be followed up via routine engagements.
Overall, I have concluded that an inspection rating of Green, no formal action, is appropriate. I considered that relevant good practice was generally met with minor shortfalls identified, when compared to appropriate benchmarks.
I outlined ONR's intent to raise appropriate regulatory issues to capture the identified shortfalls and to monitor licensee progress.
Sellafield Ltd. concurred with my findings and the overall RAG rating of this inspection, and considered the feedback provided was balanced.
Conclusion
Based on the discussions held, evidence sampled and outcomes of this inspection, I conclude that an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is appropriate to this inspection. Areas of good practice were highlighted, and it is acknowledged further improvements are planned.
Two ONR level 4 regulatory issues are proposed to be raised to capture the identified areas for improvement and track remedial actions relating to supply chain management model and material certification requirements for procured materials.