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 Hinkley Point Local Community Liaison Council (LCLC) and covers activities associated with the regulation of safety at Hinkley Point B Power Station. These reports are distributed quarterly. Site Inspectors of HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate normally attend LCLC meetings and will be happy to respond to any questions raised there or subsequently by members of the LCLC. Any other person wishing to inquire about matters covered by this report should contact the HSE, Nuclear Directorate Information Centre on 0151-951-4103.
The HMNII Site Inspector made the following planned visits during the period: 15 - 19 April, 13 - 17 May
Specialist Inspectors assisted during the above visits.
A team from HMNII carried out a readiness inspection associated with the Work Management Project in June.
Routine inspections have continued throughout the period to ensure that the site is operating in compliance with the conditions attached to the Nuclear Site Licence.
The management and recording of events which occurred on the station during the period were inspected. Most of these were relatively minor and those of concern to the HMNII Site Inspector were discussed with the appropriate company staff. HMNII was satisfied with the actions taken.
On 17/4/2002 the 24th Annual Review Meeting was attended. HMNII explained that, following the successful 12 hour shift trials last year, checks would be made on the adequacy of the controls in place to manage fatigue during the forthcoming R4 outage.
There were no Level 1 Emergency Exercises held during the quarter.
A team from the HMNII undertook an enhanced inspection associated with maintaining the integrity of the reactor concrete pressure vessel. One aspect of the work covered operator actions and the station's simulator proved to be very useful in demonstrating the feasibility of the operator actions required when cooling to the vessel is lost. A satisfactory position was established.
A follow up to the enhanced inspection carried out in November 2000 on the management of nuclear fire safety was undertaken. The inspection established that a comprehensive set of improved arrangements had been produced by the station and these were about to be introduced.
An enhanced inspection covering compliance with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 was undertaken. The station had identified the need for some additional awareness training on the regulations, which was ongoing, and the inspection revealed the need for BE to improve its communications with external Competent Persons.
A follow up inspection revealed that good progress had been made on rectifying deficiencies identified during an enhanced electrical inspection undertaken in November 2001. Progress had not been so good on the updating of some operating instructions but the station was taking steps to rectify the situation.
A team from the HMNII carried out a readiness inspection associated with the introduction of the latest work management software under the Work Management Project. Prior to the inspection a specification had been issued by HMNII which required BE to seek the agreement of HMNII before the software was introduced. The inspection revealed a satisfactory position and HMNII issued an agreement.
The Inspectorate has powers under the Nuclear Site Licence to issue Consents, Approvals and Directions. In addition, the Inspectorate uses Licence Instruments to issue Specifications and Agreements under the conditions attached to the Site Licence.
was issued on 25/4/2002. The Specification required BE to seek agreement from HMNII before introducing the latest work management software under the Work Management Project.
Licence Instrument No 36 (Agreement) was issued on 28/6/2002. The Agreement was in response to the specification above and permitted the introduction of the latest work management software under the Work Management Project.