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 Bradwell Power Station's Local Community Liaison Council and covers activities associated with the regulation of safety at Bradwell Nuclear Power Station. These reports are distributed quarterly. Site Inspectors of HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate normally attend LCLC meetings and will respond to any questions raised there or subsequently by members of the LCLC. Any other person wishing to inquire about matters covered by this report should contact the HSE, Nuclear Directorate Information Centre on 0151 - 951 - 4103.
1.1 Bradwell was visited for inspections, meetings and investigations on four occasions during this quarter, the inspections containing both a routine element and a reactive element. The visits were made on the following dates:- 20 - 22 April 2004 27 - 29 April 2004 7 - 10 June 2004 22 - 24 June 2004 1.2 In addition to the site inspector's planned inspection activities, a number of additional activities were carried out, one of which involved a team of HMNII specialist inspectors. This was concerned with an investigation into an incident which resulted in contamination being released onto the reactor pilecap and six members of staff receiving an internal dose. A joint investigation with the Environment Agency was continued into the incident which resulted in the loss of active liquid from a decontamination bay sump.
2.1 Routine Inspections
There was one routine inspection carried out in this quarter, covering a range of aspects concerned with the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999. This inspection covered the fuel ponds. The station's housekeeping in this area was seen to be poor. The station was asked, as a result of this inspection, to improve its housekeeping in this area.
2.2 Additional Inspections
2.2.1 Inspection of LC 19 & 20 Arrangements.
These arrangements are required to control the design and construction of new plant which may affect safety. Now that Bradwell has commenced decommissioning, new plants and buildings will be required to retrieve, treat and store operational radioactive wastes and the arrangements need to change to cover the new situation. Bradwell continues to develop its arrangements in this area and discussions have been held with the station where advice on the contents of the arrangements was given. The station has also been informed that until these arrangements are seen to be adequate and have been implemented, HMNII has neither a legal or technical base on which to issue licence instruments allowing construction of any new facilities to commence.
2.3 Meetings.
The Local Community Liaison Council meeting was attended in June as was a HESAC meeting on site.
3.1 Two investigations and two specialist inspections were carried out this period. The details are given below under Regulatory Activities.
4.1 Licence Instruments
There was one Licence Instrument issued during the period. This permissioned the introduction on to the station of version 9 of PASSPORT, a work management system. This Licence Instrument, in the form of an Agreement No. 63, was issued following assessment by HMNII of Bradwells justification for this project and a readiness inspection on the site.
4.2 Asbestos.
The Improvement Notices Issued against Kitson Environmental European Ltd. on 18 March 2004 and against Magnox Electric plc. on 05 April 2004 were both closed out to the satisfaction of HSE/HMNII.
4.3 Investigation
One investigations was started during the period, with another joint investigation with the Environment Agency continuing.
The continuing investigation into the incident which resulted in the loss of water from a decontamination bay sump was delayed due to the fact that the station had not completed its own investigation into the incident. The regulators have asked the site to provide information concerning the magnitude of the leak. This investigation is not yet complete and will be reported on in a future quarterly report.
An event was reported to HMNII on 15 April 2004 by the Magnox Duty Officer. During operations to prepare for defuelling from standpipe 26D04, a reactor valve on 27D04 was opened instead, releasing pressurised contaminated air onto the pilecap. Two men were found to be contaminated and nose blows confirmed internal doses had been received. An initial investigation was undertaken by the site inspector on 20 - 22 April and recommendations were made for further investigative work to be carried out.
This visit was made for the purpose of carrying out that further investigation. Statements (under section 9 Criminal Justices Act) were taken from several members of staff who were either directly or indirectly involved with the incident which occurred on 14 April 2004. Evidence, in the form of documentation was also taken into possession. The investigation is now being processed internally in line with HSC/HSE Enforcement Policy. The outcome of this will be reported in a future quarterly report.
Published on the HSE web site 13 December 2004
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