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 on 0151-951-3484/3290
This report will be put onto the HSE Website at www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/
Following the routine rotation of NII site inspectors, Mr B Archer took up responsibilities as NII site inspector at Bradwell on 1st January 2006.
Bradwell was visited for inspections and meetings on two occasions during this quarter, the inspections being of a routine nature. The visits were made on the following dates:-
18 January 2006
13 – 16 February 2006
The main thrust in this period has been concerned with Bradwell’s continued compliance with the requirements of the nuclear site licence and continued preparations to enter the decommissioning phase of the station’s lifecycle. This has included checks to verify that Reactor 2 is completely defuelled, removal of remaining fuel off site and preparations for final clean up of the cooling ponds.Routine Inspections
Routine inspections were carried out against the following Licence Conditions (LC) in this quarter;
The results of these inspections showed Bradwell’s arrangements made under these licence conditions to be generally adequate. Where any minor deficiencies were identified, improvements and actions were agreed with the appropriate station staff.
In line with the preparations to enter the decommissioning phase of the station’s lifecycle, Bradwell have requested that the NII withdraw it’s formal approval of the station Operating Rules. An inspection undertaken under LC23 to review work carried out by the station in support of this request found that the methodologies employed were appropriate. The NII site inspector undertook to review the associated safety case before considering a formal withdrawal of approval of Operating Rules.
An inspection of Bradwell’s verification process to demonstrate that no fuel remains in Reactor 2 and it’s associated dry fuel route was carried out under Licence Condition 26. The verification process is robust and leads to the conclusion that a high level of confidence exists that Reactor 2 and associated dry fuel route is now empty of fuel. A number of deficiencies in the recording of information were identified and corrective measures were agreed and implemented appropriately.
Meetings
General introductory and information gathering meetings were held between the NII site inspector and station staff, including Trades Unions Safety Representatives.
Nil
Licence Instruments
The Inspectorate has power under the Licence to issue Consents, Approvals and Directions. In addition, the Inspectorate uses Liscence Instruments to issue Specifications and Agreements under the conditions attached to the Licence.
There were no Licence Instrument issued during the period.
Mr B P Archer
HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate
Redgrave Court
Merton Road
Bootle
Merseyside
L20 7HS
25 May 2006