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 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.
Seven site inspection visits were made to BNFL Capenhurst during this period on 2 October, 9 October, 3 November, 10 November, 2 December, 11 December and 31 December 2003. NII's regulatory activities during this period were focused mainly on:
(i) reviewing BNFL's arrangements for the safe storage of
uranium hexafluoride;
(ii) follow-up of local events reported to NII under BNFL's
arrangements.
A joint inspection with the NII site inspector for Springfields was completed to gain confidence in BNFL's arrangements for the safe storage of uranium hexafluoride under Licence Condition 14 (Safety Cases). A number of issues were identified where further clarification was sought from BNFL, these will be pursued during the course of normal regulatory interactions.
An inspection of BNFL's arrangements under Licence Condition 24 (Operating Instructions) for incinerator operations provided confidence that BNFL's procedures were up to date and fit for purpose. Evidence was provided by BNFL staff that Operating Instructions on the plant were in regular use and in a form which was easily understood by plant operators. It was evident that local Operating Instructions reflected relevant requirements of the plant safety case.
NII attended a presentation of the proposed programmes of work in preparation for the creation of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Representatives from NII, BNFL Environmental Services and the Liabilities Management Unit (the precursor of NDA) discussed the Life Cycle Base Plan and the Near Term Work Plan which set out in scope of decommissioning work expected at Capenhurst.
BNFL provided a separate presentation to NII on the programme for decommissioning under the Enriched Uranium project at Capenhurst. We have reviewed in detail the arrangements for training and appointment of Suitably Qualified and Experienced Persons (SQEPs) and Duly Authorised Persons (DAPs) and have been generally satisfied with BNFL's proposals. NII welcomes progress in the reduction of contaminated combustible materials held on site.
Nothing to report for this period.
Nothing to report for this period.
An out of hours inspection was undertaken at midnight over the Xmas holiday period to gain confidence that minimum manning levels necessary to respond to a site emergency were present. NII was satisfied that BNFL were complying with their arrangements.
Nothing to report.
BNFL reported two events to NII following unplanned losses of electrical power to the BNFL site. We noted that BNFL staff responded appropriately on each occasion and we have welcomed the detailed technical investigation undertaken by NII which has been reviewed by one of NII's engineering specialists. Although there were no direct safety concerns we are reviewing with BNFL the learning opportunities arising from the investigation.
There have been no consents, approvals or licence instruments issued during this period.
NII is responding to BNFL's request to relicense the Capenhurst site resulting from a proposed realignment of the boundary line between Urenco and BNFL. 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 8 March 2004