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 Hartlepool Local Community Liaison Council and covers activities associated with the regulation of safety at Hartlepool Power Station. These reports are distributed quarterly. Site Inspectors of HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (part of the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Directorate) attend LCLC meetings and will be happy to respond there to questions raised by members of the LCLC. Any person wishing to inquire about matters covered by this report should contact the HSE, Nuclear Directorate Information Centre on 0151 951 4103.
The site inspector visited the site on five occasions during the quarter:
30th June to 2nd July
17th and 18th July
13th to 15th August
8th to 12th September
24th and 25th September
Specialist NII inspectors also visited the site during the period to assist with inspections related to their expertise - electrical engineering, seismic and fire hazards.
As part of their routine work NII inspectors inspect for compliance against the requirements of the Station's Nuclear Site Licence, the Health and Safety at Work Act and other relevant safety legislation. They monitor events, plant operations, projects, modifications and safety case changes and any other matters which are important to safety. Planned inspections during the quarter included the station's arrangements for the use of suitably qualified and experienced staff for operating the reactor pressure vessels, the process for controlling modifications, maintenance of fuel handling equipment, and control of operation of electrical systems and reactor cooling boilers.
In general the station's arrangements were found to be satisfactory, with a commitment to accommodate the improvements identified. However the site inspector considered it appropriate to address in writing to the station a potential shortfall in refresher training for plant technicians. An appropriate response, indicating improved facilities, has been received and the site inspector will continue to monitor this area in future.
The site inspector has continued to work with the station to determine priorities for improving aspects of the new management processes related to protection of staff and contractors working on the plant. Many areas have been identified for improvement and the site inspector will continue to monitor the station's progress over the coming months.
As part of their planned inspection site inspectors examine safety related events that have occurred and the Licensee's response to them. Generally the Licensee's internal system for following up events is robust and the appropriate actions are implemented. The site inspector investigated several events in detail, and there were two where it was considered appropriate to follow up the outcome in writing, as summarised below.
During refilling/pressurising the reactors following an unplanned double reactor trip a situation was encountered where, for a short period, CO2 make up supplies were disconnected from both reactors. The situation was rapidly identified by installed alarms but nevertheless the site inspector considered that some of the learning points were sufficiently important to be confirmed in writing. These were insufficient caution before implementing the process (using a procedure which was not designed for the exact circumstances) and inadequate records of the state of the plant during the refilling/pressurisation process. The station has subsequently replied, confirming that the procedural and human factors aspects have been appropriately addressed.
During early September it became apparent that degradation was taking place in one of the heating and ventilating ducts which discharge filtered gas from heating and ventilating systems. The station has now assessed the damage and is actively progressing a suitable repair. Interim arrangements which maintain safety have been put in place. The site inspector concluded that this plant is safety related and consequently wrote to the station to request proposals for future inspection and maintenance of this and all similar ducting. An interim reply has been provided and the site inspector will continue to ensure that the degradation and associated issues are addressed adequately by the station.
Application of a proposed modification to enable chemical cleaning of single boiler tubes was prevented pending completion of assessment by NII specialists under cover of letter HRA 70952R of 15th July. This assessment has now been satisfactorily completed and a letter releasing the "hold" was issued to the station on 12th November.
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. There was no regulatory documentation issued during the reporting period.
Published on the HSE web site 26.08.2004