Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Nuclear
LLC reports
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 Site Stakeholder Group (SSG) 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 SSG meetings and will be happy to respond to questions raised there or subsequently by members of the SSG. 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.
This report will be put onto the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/llc/2005/index.htm
NII Inspectors (including visits by the site inspector and specialist NII assessment inspectors) made the following visits to Hinkley Point “A” in the period covered by this report:
18th to 21st April 2005
17th to 20th May 2005
21st to 24th June 2005
The removal of all nuclear fuel from site has resulted in a reduction in the perceived nuclear hazard to the public. In accordance with HSE’s policy of proportionate inspection, Hinkley A will no longer have a full time NII site inspector. The current inspector now divides his time between Hinkley A and Hunterston A decommissioning sites. However, NII recognise that the hazard to workers on site is increasing as decommissioning activities escalate.
Routine inspections have confirmed that activity and change remains at a very high level. The site is experiencing a high influx of new contractors who need to adjust to the site procedures and behavioural standards. Although NII concur with the need for change as the site gears itself up to the new decommissioning challenge, NII will be pushing hard for improvements to the change management process.
HSE attended meetings to arrange the Level 1 emergency exercise scheduled for July 2005. The planned emergency exercise will again test the reduced, manning levels experienced out of hours and their ability to manage the emergency services.
Two regulatory forums were attended this quarter where the Licensee, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Environment Agency and the HSE could discuss the future decommissioning plans for the site. The NII remain in disagreement with the sites policy to containerise (as opposed to encapsulate) intermediate level waste. NII still await a justification for this strategy. Similarly, the site plans to retrieve intermediate level waste without fire suppression equipment. NII have yet to receive a justification for this strategy also.
During this quarter our inspections of control, supervision and training of staff and maintenance of plant gave satisfactory results. Improvements are sought in supervision and selection of contractors, in conventional safety and compliance with the Ionising Radiation Regulations.
The above comments are symptomatic of the changes facing the site. We have noted many positive organisational improvements and strengthening of staff in key areas.
Meetings were held on site to discuss Magnox Electric Ltd’s periodic review of safety and the safety case for the site. NII are monitoring progress of the safety improvements recommended by the review. We are also co-operating with the Licensee to agree improved safety principles that are more relevant to the decommissioning sites.
NII have permitted commissioning of the new electrical overlay system.
Agreement to requests from the Licensee to finalise a computerised work control system are in progress.
A request to bring a pond decontamination unit into normal operation has been shelved after disappointing trials.
J A Burrows
Hinkley Point A Site Inspector
HM Inspector (Health and Safety)
Health and Safety Executive
HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate
St Peter’s House
Bootle
Merseyside
L20 3LZ
July 2005