Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Nuclear
LLC reports
The 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 Capenhurst District Liaison Committee and covers activities associated with the regulation of safety at Capenhurst. These reports are distributed quarterly. Site Inspectors of HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate normally attend DLC meetings and will be happy to respond to questions raised there or subsequently by members of the DLC. Any other person wishing to inquire about matters covered by this report should contact the HSE, Nuclear Directorate Information Centre on 0151 951 4103.
Eight site inspection visits were made to BNFL Capenhurst during this period on 18 July, 22 July, 6 August, 27 August, 28 August, 5 September, 10 September and 18 September 2003. NII's regulatory activities during this period were focused mainly on:
An inspection against Licence Condition 6 (Documents, Records, Authorities and Certificates) revealed a number of deficiencies in BNFL's arrangements. A programme of improvements has been agreed with the licensee which will be monitored during the course of future site visits.
An out of hours inspection was undertaken in part of the diffusion plant to monitor compliance with Licence Condition 26 (Control and Supervision). Manning levels were sufficient to provide minimum safety cover and the team leader appeared knowledgeable in the extent of his duties and responsibilities. NII has asked BNFL to review local emergency arrangements in the area which has now been completed.
A number of meetings between NII and BNFL have been held to gain a further understanding of BNFL's "End States Principles" project for managing the decommissioning programme over the next 3 years. NII is collaborating with the other site regulators EA and OCNS in judging the adequacy of proposals being made by BNFL to safely manage the reduction in operations at Capenhurst.
Regulations 2001
Nothing to report for this period.
Nothing to report for this period.
Following the earlier Level 1 Emergency Exercise Buzzard on 22 April 2003 NII asked BNFL to further demonstrate the adequacy of its roll call and muster procedures because of weaknesses observed on the day. We note and welcome the extent of additional work undertaken by BNFL which was successfully demonstrated during a partial re-test of the arrangements which was observed by a team of NII inspectors in July.
Nothing to report.
NII has noted and welcomed BNFL's intent to adopt good practices in fire safety at Capenhurst which have been developed by the company at the Springfields site near Preston.
A senior management familiarisation visit to BNFL Capenhurst was arranged for Mr J Sandford, HM Superintending Inspector of Nuclear Installations, who has taken over from Dr Tew.
There have been no consents, approvals or licence instruments issued during this period.
NII is responding to BNFL's request to relicense the site. During this period we have given advice to BNFL on what actions will need to be undertaken before a new licence can be issued.
Published on the HSE web site 4 December 2003