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 Amersham plc, Maynard Centre Local Liaison Committee (LLC) and covers activities associated with the regulation of safety at the site. These reports are distributed quarterly. Site Inspectors of HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate attend LLC meetings and will be happy to respond to questions raised there 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.
Inspection visits were made to the Maynard Centre site on 26 - 28 February 2003.
The main thrust of NII activity during the period of this report has been regulatory compliance.
Routine compliance inspection of plant was carried out to the inspection plan and the site inspector has inspected parts of the site during his visit. Particular attention has been paid to the compliance by the licensee with Licence Conditions 25 (Operational Records) and 26 (Control and Supervision of Operations). An adequate level of compliance with these Conditions was shown.
A meeting was held with the Environment Agency inspector to discuss areas of mutual interest regarding Amersham's operations and topics for a future joint inspection visit. The meeting was undertaken to facilitate effective and consistent regulation as required by the Memorandum of Understanding between the NII and Environment Agency.
The NII Superintending Inspector covering the Maynard Centre site retired during the quarter. The new Superintending Inspector made a familiarisation visit to the site. Amersham gave a number of presentations covering site operations, waste management and the waste recycling facility (Project Paragon). Visits were made to a number of laboratories and waste management facilities.
At the Maynard Centre site HSE has the responsibility for regulatory matters under the Fire Certificates (Special Premises) Regulations 1976. A variation to the site fire certificate was issued during the quarter to cover the change of use of the former recreational society building to offices.
No statutory reportable radiological incidents have been notified to the NII during the quarter.
Amersham has carried out an engineering investigation into the failure of two ventilation fans on the site. The investigation highlighted a number of shortcomings in the operation of the ventilation system. The failure was of interest to both the NII and Environment Agency and the site inspector has written on behalf of both organisations requiring Amersham to provide a programme of work to address the legislative compliance issues particularly those relating to plant maintenance.
No legal instruments were issued during the quarter.
Published on the HSE web site 17 June 2003