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 Hinkley Point Local Community Liaison Council (LCLC) and covers activities associated with the regulation of safety at Hinkley Point B Power Station. These reports are distributed quarterly. Site Inspectors of HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate normally attend LCLC meetings and will be happy to 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.
This report will be put onto the HSE Website at www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/index.htm under ‘Local Liaison Committee Reports’.
Nuclear Directorate
Health and Safety Executive
St. Peter's House
Bootle
Merseyside L20 3LZ
Routine inspections continued in accordance with our annual plan. The HMNII Site Inspector made the following planned visits during the period:
23 - 27th January 2006
13 – 17th March 2006
During this quarter the Hinkley Point B reactors had a reasonably steady period of operation. There was one unplanned trip of Reactor 4 in January, due to a relatively minor plant issue.
Compliance with Site Licence Conditions
Routine and reactive inspections have continued throughout the period to confirm that the site is operating in compliance with the conditions attached to the Nuclear Site Licence. These included inspections of Licence Conditions 3, 7, 16, 22, 23 and 28. In general the arrangements on site were found to be satisfactory. In areas where opportunities for improvement were identified, remedial work has been agreed with station management, with the intention of achieving improvements to current station arrangements in those areas.
Specialist HMNII inspectors also visited the Station to undertake inspections in relation to the cast iron pipework replacement project. Satisfactory progress is being made with this work.
Meetings attended
I attended the Site Stakeholder Group meeting on 10th March 2006 and provided a verbal report of HMNII activities in the previous quarter.
Incidents on Site
The management and recording of some events that occurred on the station during the period were inspected. Most of these were relatively minor and those of concern to the HMNII Site Inspector were discussed with the appropriate company staff. HMNII was generally satisfied with the actions taken.
A series of uncontrolled releases of clean carbon dioxide gas from the storage and processing plant has been described in previous reports. In response to investigations, British Energy has put an improvement programme in place. A series of further uncontrolled releases occurred in January 2006. HMNII have discussed this with British Energy and they have taken appropriate corrective short term action. HMNII will continue to closely monitor long term progress with the carbon dioxide storage plant improvement programme.
Joint Inspection with the Environment Agency
HMNII work in liaison with the Environment Agency Inspector on matters where we have joint interest. A joint team inspection was undertaken in January 2006, led by the Environment Agency. The findings from the inspection were generally found to be satisfactory.
Proposed lease of land to NDA
An application has been made for HMNII Consent to the lease of land on Hinkley Point B site to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The land is for the temporary storage of clean spoil generated from groundworks associated with the construction of the Hinkley Point A Intermediate Level Waste Store. Consideration of this request is underway.
Under Health and Safety legislation the Site Inspector, or other HSE Inspectors, may issue formal notices to secure improvements to safety. No such notices were issued during the reporting period.
The Inspectorate has powers under the Licence to issue Consents, Approvals and Directions. In addition the Inspectorate uses Licence Instruments to issue Specifications and Agreements under the conditions of the Licence. These are all called Licence Instruments. None were issued during the quarter.
30th March 2006
HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate
St Peter’s House
Stanley Precinct
Bootle
Merseyside
L20 3LZ