Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Nuclear
LLC reports
Inspections
Routine Matters
Non Routine Matters
Regulatory Activities
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 Hinkley Point A Power Station's Local Community Liaison Council (LCLC) and covers activities associated with the regulation of safety at Hinkley Point A 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 questions raised there or subsequently by members of the LCLC. Alternatively, any other person wishing to enquire about matters covered by this report should contact the HSE, Nuclear Directorate Information Centre on 0151 951 4103.
The Site Inspector made the following visits to Hinkley Point "A" in the period covered by this report:
9th & 10th October 2003.
17th to 19th November 2003.
16th & 17th December 2003.
The site inspector also had a meeting with Magnox Electric plc that was relevant to Hinkley Point "A" on:
2nd October 2003.
During the site visits, NII's site inspector carried out planned sample inspections of the licensee's compliance with the conditions attached to the Site Licence and other relevant health and safety legislation, generally accompanied by a safety representative during plant inspections. An inspection of the licensee's compliance against the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 was made by two specialist NII inspectors on 10th & 11th July 2003. Some shortfalls were noted during this inspection. A programme of actions was agreed, the majority of which have now been completed by the licensee. The balance of the outstanding actions remain on track for completion during the first half of 2004. The licensee's control measures, following the successful radiological declassification (with regard to contamination) of both reactor pile caps were inspected, with a positive outcome. An inspection was also made of fuel despatch records for used fuel transfers from the site to Sellafield, which were found to be in order. Management of change safety documentation was also reviewed, addressing some minor staff reductions, with an acceptable outcome.
As part of NII's planned inspections, the site inspector examined the licensee's arrangements for the recording and investigation of events on the station. The site inspector was content with how these minor events had been progressed by the licensee.
The annual review off safety meeting was conducted on site on 16th December, with good progress being demonstrated by the licensee in defuelling both reactors and a start having been made on site decommissioning projects, following NII having issued the EIADR 99 decommissioning project Consent on 10th July 2003. An Environment Agency inspector attended this review meeting.
The licensee has responsibility for the appropriate control and supervision of contractors working on the licensed site. A number of contractors are now engaged in decommissioning projects, on the site and elsewhere. Advice was given to the licensee by an NII specialist inspector, which has resulted in the production of a set of "control and supervision principles," to guide the licensee's control of the work of contractors.
None arising during this quarter.
The Inspectorate has powers under the Nuclear Site Licence to issue Consents, Approvals and Directions. In addition, the Inspectorate uses Licence Instruments (LI) to issue Specifications and Agreements under the conditions attached to the Site Licence. No Licence Instruments have been issued in this period.
Published on the HSE web site 20 February 2004