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 Clyde Local Liaison Committee (LLC) and covers activities associated with the regulation of nuclear safety at H M Naval Base Clyde. These reports are distributed quarterly and are also available on HSE’s web site at http//www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/llc/index.htm
Site Inspectors of HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate usually attend LLC meetings and will respond to questions raised there or subsequently by members of the LLC. Any other person wishing to inquire about matters covered by this report should contact the HSE’s Nuclear Directorate Information Centre on 0151-951-3484.
Nuclear Directorate
Health and Safety Executive
Redgrave Court
Merton Road
Bootle
Merseyside
L20 7HS
The majority of sites inspected by HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) a part of the Health and Safety Executive are licensed by HSE/NII under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (as amended). HM Naval Base Clyde is not a licensed site although it operates under Authorisation from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR). The site comprises the Faslane and Coulport facilities and is regulated by HSE/NII through other legislation as noted below. This report summarises the inspection and regulatory activities associated with HM Naval Base Clyde which are coordinated with inspections by DNSR. The focus for HM Naval Base Clyde is safe and timely servicing of the UK’s Nuclear submarine fleet. This is being progressed through provision of facilities on the site which are being upgraded to meet the continued operational requirements of the Base.
The HSE/NII Site Inspector made inspection visits to the site on the following dates during the quarter: -
The HSE/NII Deputy Chief Inspector for Defence Nuclear Facilities also visited the site on 8th September 2008.
Inspections on site are undertaken are taken as part of monitoring compliance with:
An inspection was carried out of the Radioactive Effluent Disposal Facility. Work is underway to make improvements to the facility, initially to the building fabric but to be followed by installation of new process plant. It was noted that the facility is still in use whilst these improvement works are being carried out so the site are having to carefully manage the separation of these activities.
Joint discussions were held with HMNB Clyde, the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to review overall progress and compliance across the site.
Discussions were held with HMNB Clyde and the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator about the Nuclear Accident Response Organisation (NARO). These discussions focussed on the processes for ensuring competence for the NARO staff, organisational change and preparations for future Emergency Exercises next year.
Operators are required to have arrangements to respond to non-routine matters and events. NII Inspectors judge the adequacy of the operator’s response including actions taken to implement any necessary improvements.
There were no items of particular note during the current reporting period.
Under Health and Safety legislation NII Site Inspectors, and other HSE Inspectors, may issue enforcement (Crown) notices to secure improvements to safety.
No enforcement (Crown) notices were issued during the quarter.