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.
This report will be placed on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/nsd/index.htm under “Local Liaison Committee Reports.The site inspector visited the site on six occasions during the quarter:
6th and 7th January 25th to 27th January
7th to 10th February 21st and 22nd February
8th March 21st to 23rd March
In addition specialist NII inspectors visited the site during the period to assist with inspections related to their expertise – structural integrity and civil engineering and mechanical engineering. The period also included visits by several NII Superintending Inspectors and the Deputy Chief Inspector responsible for British Energy inspection.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 restrictions and control of nuclear matter (LCs 4 and 5), event reporting (LC 7), emergency arrangements (LC 11), duly authorised and suitably qualified and experienced persons (LC 12), control of operations (LCS 23, 24 and 26) and organisational issues (LC 36) and arrangements for some aspects of the Ionising Radiations Regulations.
In general the station’s arrangements were found to be satisfactory, with a commitment to accommodate the improvements identified.
Case against flooding and fire from turbine disintegration
The Inspectorate has continued to monitor progress and quality of the barrier being constructed to mitigate the effect of postulated fire and flood from the turbine hall compromising safety systems in the reactor hall. Progress has been good and the Inspectorate accepted the station’s proposal to initiate the associated cooling water inter-trip in early April.
Exercise Yellowhammer
A team of inspectors observed the level 1 demonstration exercise on 9th February and concluded that it was an adequate demonstration of the station’s arrangements. As is normally the case there were a large number of learning points communicated to the station for their consideration, both positive and negative.
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. More noteworthy events during the period include the following.
Disruption to services during excavation for alternative low pressure back up cooling system (LPBUCS) route
During January a contractor damaged a cable duct whilst attempting to remove concrete from around services crossing the course of the LPBUCS excavation. Several actions were agreed for completion before work was resumed, and work has now re-started, avoiding the requirement to remove concrete from immediately adjacent to existing cable ducts. As a result of this event the Inspectorate has requested the station to review their approach to risk assessment for potentially hazardous conventional activities.
Leaking fuel
Evidence of a small leak from fuel in Reactor 1 occurred during January. The Inspectorate closely monitored the station’s approach to locating and removing the leaking elements, which remained within the parameters of the relevant safety case at all times. The leaking fuel was discharged from the reactor into the sealed decay store during March.
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 has been no regulatory documentation issued during the reporting period.
HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate 22nd April 2005
St Peter’s House
Stanley Precinct
Bootle
Merseyside
L20 3LZ