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 Capenhurst District Liaison Committee and covers activities associated with the regulation of safety at Capenhurst. These reports are distributed quarterly. SiteInspectors of HMNuclear Installations Inspectorate normally attend DLCmeetings 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 01519514103.
Seven inspection visits were made to the UCL site during this period on 8April, 22April, 9 May, 28 May, 30 May, 24-26 June and 30 June 2003.
The main themes of NII's inspection activities included:An earlier inspection in March had identified some shortfalls in arrangements made under Licence Condition 27 - Safety Mechanisms, Devices and Circuits. NII has noted that Urenco has undertaken a detailed and systematic review of plant arrangements and has made improvements in a number of areas - this work is welcomed.
As part of the site inspector's IES Inspection Programme for Urenco Capenhurst, a three day co-ordinated inspection was undertaken by a team of three NII Inspectors covering compliance with Licence Condition 14 (Safety Documentation) and 15 (Periodic Review). This followed a similar inspection at BNFL Capenhurst in February 2003.
It was clear from the outset that Urenco had acted upon NII's announced intention to undertake this inspection by undertaking a considerable amount of preparatory work including internal reviews. UCL had identified a number of learning points and improvements and were open and willing to share their conclusions with NII. This aspect was welcomed.
NII's findings confirmed the result of UCL's earlier internal review but in addition noted weakness in the programme for production of periodic safety reviews. We also recommended that arrangement should be reviewed for retaining an intelligent customer capabilities following the proposed company restructuring. UCL agreed to provide NII with a programme of improvements
An inspection of arrangements under the Licence Condition 7 (Reporting of Incidents) was undertaken. The Licensee's internal procedures appeared to be working well and were considered to be fit for purpose. NII were satisfied that all incidents, occurrences and near misses were being properly recorded and investigated. In particular, the no blame culture to encourage reporting of incidents was welcomed
NII has launched a project internally aimed at accelerating NII's review of UCL's Quinquennial Review Report. The aim is to complete assessment work and to publish a report before the end of 2003 - this follows a similar pattern of work with other licensees. A project meeting was held with UCL staff to identify key supporting documents which are in the process of being supplied to NII for review. This work is continuing
Nothing to report this period
A joint inspection of waste storage and accumulation was undertaken with the Environment Agency. We were generally satisfied that records of waste were being maintained and were appropriate for the intended purpose. We have asked UCL to examine the suitability long term storage arrangements for Magnesium Fluoride.
A Level 1 Emergency Exercise Buzzard was held on 22 April 2003 to demonstrate the adequacy of site arrangements. This involved a simulated accident in one of the production plants requiring action from a number of site services. Cheshire Fire and Rescue also participated. The demonstration was witnessed by a team of fire inspectors from NII. We observed many features of good practice including new arrangements for the forward control point.
However, deficiencies in the roll call and mustering procedures caused concerns and at NII's request Urenco have agreed to arrange for a partial re-test of this part of the exercise to be completed by the end of July 2003.
Nothing to report
The company is continuing to keep NII aware of commercial developments which may effect future operations on the Capenhurst site. These include the proposed restructuring of the company and the possible expansion of enrichment capacity.
There have been no consents, approvals or licence instruments issued during this period.
Published on the HSE web site 3 November 2003