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 Clyde Local Liaison Committee and covers activities associated with the regulation of nuclear safety at HM Naval Base Clyde. These reports are distributed quarterly. Site Inspectors of HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate 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.
Visits are made to the Base for the purpose of undertaking routine plant and project inspections or meeting site management or safety representatives. NII inspectors visited Faslane and Coulport during the quarter as follows:
30 April - 1 May 2002
2 May 2002
12 - 13 June 2002
NII also observed an emergency exercise at Loch Ewe on 15 May 2002.
NII's normal method of business is to inspect the Clyde Base in accordance with a planned inspection programme and to discuss any matters arising with site staff. Plant inspections are undertaken for the purpose of monitoring compliance with the relevant provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (1974) including the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 at the two sites.
Meetings are also held routinely to discuss matters that affect the continued safe operation of the base. Discussions are also held with the Ministry of Defence internal regulators: the Naval Nuclear Regulatory Panel (NNRP), on matters of mutual interest.
In this period, the following matters in particular have been discussed:
a. Provision and assessment of safety documentation.b. Management of facility operations and maintenance within the Base.
c. Safety training of staff
d. Off-site and on-site emergency arrangements.
The NII carried out an inspection of the maintenance arrangements in the main processing building at RNAD Coulport during the annual shutdown period. The inspection included examination of the planning system and programme maintained by the Planning Office, record keeping system, maintenance procedures, training requirements and supervision arrangements. Two maintenance operations were observed during the visit covering crane maintenance and building earth leakage and insulation. All the arrangements appeared to be satisfactory and seemed from the sample inspection carried out to be a good example of well planned and executed maintenance work. It was apparent from discussions with managers, supervisors and two fitters that they take a pride in their work and are proactive in indentifying any necessary improvements.
The NII witnessed an emergency exercise at Loch Ewe on 15 May 2002. The arrangements were found to be generally satisfactory although revision of some documentation is required to meet the new requirements of REPPIR.
The Chief Inspector of HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate visited Faslane and Coulport on 11 June 2002. He visited operational areas at both sites and held discussions on a range of safety related topics with Commodore and his senior management team.
NII and the HSE's Field Operations Division attended a presentation at Faslane during the quarter on the Base's proposals for implementing a partnering arrangement with Babcock Naval Services.
NII inspectors visited the submarine berths at Rothesay and Loch Goil during the quarter to verify the information provided by the Base which supports the submission required for the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001 ) REPPIR.
The Inspectorate has taken no formal enforcement action on the Base during this period.
Published on the HSE web site 9 September 2002