Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
June 2025
Aim of inspection
The purpose of this Inspection was to sample evidence of Sellafield Limited's (SLs) arrangements for the Harwell flask recovery proposal, specifically within the Highly Active Liquor Evaporation and Storage (HALES) facility, in order to inform a regulatory judgement regarding the permission for this activity to proceed.
Subject(s) of inspection
- IRR17 - Rating: GREEN
- LC 11 - Emergency arrangements - Rating: GREEN
- LC 23 - Operating rules - Rating: GREEN
- LC 24 - Operating instructions - Rating: GREEN
- LC 26 - Control and supervision of operations - Rating: GREEN
- Lifting / LOLER - Rating: GREEN
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
I judged the adequacy of the dutyholder's readiness to conduct the Harwell flask recovery proposal, within the Highly Active Liquor Evaporation and Storage (HALES) facility, by considering the expectations associated with Licence Condition (LC) 11 (Emergency Arrangements), 23 (Operating Rules), 24 (Operating Instructions), 26 (Control and Supervision of Operations), as well as the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), and the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRRs). This inspection examined the readiness of the dutyholder to undertake the proposed activity to lower the flask to ground via the use of a telehandler. The inspection was devised to sample the dutyholder's arrangements for:
- the radiological protection measures that are described in the radiological risk assessment
- the measures identified in the lifting plan
- the control of the operation, and contingency plans
- and allowed an assessment the personnel, teams and management and supervision of the activities devised to facilitate the project.
I was content with the dutyholder's arrangements for LCs 11, 23, 24, 26, LOLER 1998 and IRRs 2017 associated with the Harwell flask recovery proposal, and I am content to recommend removal of the regulatory holdpoint associated with this activity.
Conclusion
I consider that the expectations associated with LC11, 23, 24 and 26, LOLER 1998 and IRR17 for the Harwell flask recovery proposal are adequate. I am therefore content to recommend removal of the regulatory holdpoint associated with this activity, and that a rating of GREEN (no formal action) to be appropriate for this inspection.