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Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston - Inspection ID: 53768

Executive summary

Date(s) of inspection: 

May 2025

Aim of inspection

To demonstrate the adequacy of the May 2025 Level 1 rehearsal of emergency arrangements on the AWE Aldermaston Site against the requirements of LC11 and the regulatory expectations provided within ONR’s guidance NS-INSP-GD-001.

Subject(s) of inspection

  • LC11 - Emergency arrangements - Rating: Not rated

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

ONR, Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR), and Environment Agency (EA) inspectors observed the annual Level 1 safety demonstration exercise on the AWE Aldermaston site. This observation focused on command and control, casualty management and recovery, and other practical aspects of the incident response. The observers were located at the incident scene, the forward control centre, and within the emergency operations control centre.

Overall ONR considers that the areas observed provided adequate demonstration of AWE's emergency arrangements against the requirements of LC11 and that relevant good practice (as provided within ONR's guidance document NS-INSP-GD-011) was met.

Conclusion

Based on ONR, DNSR, and EA observations at the locations attended, I consider that AWE adequately demonstrated its relevant emergency arrangements at the Aldermaston site, against the requirements of LC11 and relevant good practice as provided within ONR's guidance document NS-INSP-GD-011.

On this basis in accordance with the inspection rating guidance in ONR Guide ONR-INSP-GD-064, I consider that an inspection rating of GREEN is appropriate.