Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Nuclear
LLC reports
This report is issued as part of the Health and Safety Executive's commitment to make information about inspection and regulatory activities relating to the above site available to the public. It is for distribution to members of the BAE SYSTEMS Marine Ltd Local Liaison Committee (LLC) and covers activities associated with the regulation of safety at the Barrow nuclear licensed site. These reports are distributed quarterly. Site Inspectors of HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) normally attend LLC meetings and will be happy to respond to questions raised there or subsequently by members of the LLC. Any other person wishing to inquire about matters covered by this report should contact the HSE, Nuclear Directorate Information Centre on 0151-951-4103.
NII's main objective over the period of this report continues to be to confirm compliance with site licence conditions. There are virtually no nuclear materials on the site, but inspections are part of the regulatory process aiming to allow BAE SYSTEMS Marine Ltd (BAES) to perform nuclear work at Barrow when required and to be ready to receive nuclear fuel for ASTUTE class submarines.
Visits are made to the site for the purpose of undertaking routine
plant and project inspections or meeting site management or safety
representatives. Joint inspections with MoD Naval Nuclear Regulatory
Panel, NNRP, are also undertaken where there are areas of mutual
interest. 6 NII inspector-days were spent on the site as follows:
8 - 10 October 2002
13 November 2002
Additional time has been spent at off-site meetings, both with the Company and with NNRP, directly related to site regulatory matters.
An inspection of arrangements for processing, storing and disposal of radioactive waste was carried out. A minimum amount of waste is currently stored reflecting the current activities on site. Containment and storage conditions are satisfactory. Records are of a good standard and are well-maintained. The Company is seeking agreement to dispose of the remaining waste material to a suitable storage site.
A joint meeting was held with NNRP and the Company to review and discuss potential improvements to facilities to meet modern standards. Discussions included the shiplift and cranes in the Devonshire Dock Hall. These discussions will continue for a period of time to ensure that appropriate and reasonably practicable facility improvements can be made in time to meet the Astute submarine programme.
Discussions have been held regarding the emergency exercise programme. The Company have been carrying out work on a new Incident Control Centre to provide facilities suitable to meet modern standards and practices. A delay in completing these facilities meant that the emergency exercise scheduled for November 2002 has had to be deferred, with NII concurrence, until February 2003.
The Site Inspector attended the LLC meeting on 13 November 2002.
NII had participated in a number of audits conducted by NNRP and a joint meeting was held to close review BAES actions on audit findings. Some of the actions are long-term because of the delay to the submarine programme.
Nothing to report.
NII issues formal regulatory documents called Consents and Approvals, together with licence instruments where these are called for under conditions attached to the site licence. Directions may also be issued at the discretion of NII. No licence instruments were issued during this period.
Published on the HSE web site 16 April 2003