HSE banner

HM NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS INSPECTORATE

BRITISH NUCLEAR FUELS PLC CAPENHURST WORKS

Quarterly report for 1 January- 31 March 2004

CONTENTS


FOREWORD

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 Capenhurst District Liaison Committee and covers activities associated with the regulation of safety at Capenhurst. These reports are distributed quarterly. Site Inspectors of HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate normally attend DLC meetings 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 0151 951 4103.


[back to top]

1. INSPECTIONS

Four inspection visits were made to BNFL Capenhurst during this period on 3 February 2004, 2 March 2004, 26 March 2004 and 30 March 2004. NII's regulatory activities during this period were mainly focused on:

(i) issue of a new nuclear site licence to permit a number of land transfers between UCL and BNFL;
(ii) gaining further confidence in BNFL's arrangements for the decommissioning part of the redundant diffusion plant at Capenhurst;
(iii) completion of handover arrangements to the new NII nominated site inspector, Mr Ian K Gibson.


[back to top]

2. ROUTINE MATTERS

2.1 Compliance with Conditions Attached to the Nuclear Site Licence

An inspection under Licence Condition 8 (Warning Notices) was undertaken. BNFL's arrangements in part of the redundant diffusion plant appeared satisfactory. However, this visit revealed concerns about the adequacy of emergency escape routes which were promptly addressed by BNFL.

A plant inspection was undertaken to examine BNFL's arrangements under Licence Condition 35 (Decommissioning), in particular BNFL's readiness to undertake active operations in part of the redundant diffusion plant. NII welcomed the extent of operator training that had been undertaken to introduce new equipment in a number of new decommissioning cubicles. It was concluded that BNFL's arrangements appeared generally adequate, although a number of issues required completion before the next regulatory milestone could be reached.

2.2 Decommissioning Programme

Discussions were held with BNFL regarding the scope and content of BNFL's Near Term Work Plan (NTWP) which describes the extent of decommissioning activities at Capenhurst for the next 2 years. The content of the Plan was noted and further comments were provided to the company. Discussions are continuing between the regulators (NII, EA), the licensee (BNFL) and the Liabilities Management Unit (LMU).

2.3 Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Public Information

Regulations 2001

Nothing to report for this period.

2.4 Waste Disposal to Drigg

Nothing to report for this period.

2.5 Emergency Preparedness

Nothing to report.

2.6 Other Regulatory Compliance Issues

Nothing to report.


[back to top]

3. NON-ROUTINE MATTERS

Nothing to report.


[back to top]

4. REGULATORY ACTIVITY

A new Nuclear Site Licence No. 28I was issued by the Health and Safety Executive to BNFL on 6 February 2004. This enabled a number of land transfers between UCL and BNFL at Capenhurst to take place.


Published on the HSE web site 14 June 2004