British Energy Generation Ltd - Dungeness A power station report - Q2 2009

Quarterly report for 1 April to 30 June 2009

Inspections
Routine Matters
Non Routine Matters
Regulatory Activity

Foreword

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 Dungeness A Site's Site Stakeholder Group (SSG) and covers activities associated with the regulation of safety at Dungeness A Site. These reports are distributed quarterly and are also available on the HSE's web site. Site Inspectors of HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate attend SSG meetings and will respond to questions raised there by members of the SSG.

Proposed changes to the status of HSE's Nuclear Directorate

The Government has put forward proposals to change the status of HSE's Nuclear Directorate (ND) to that of a Statutory Corporation under the auspices of the HSE. This is intended to enable ND, as the independent nuclear regulator of safety and security, to better meet the challenges of a changing nuclear industry over the coming years. The changes are to provide the nuclear regulator with greater flexibility and increase the accountability, transparency and openness of nuclear regulation. The Government are proposing that the statutory changes needed to bring this about will be made by a Legislative Reform Order (LRO).

This builds on the outcome of the Government initiated review of the UK's nuclear regulatory regime, led by Dr Tim Stone. The Summary Recommendations and the Government's response were published at the end of January 2009.

A public consultation, run by DWP and DECC, on the LRO was launched on June 30th for a 12 week period, which gives the opportunity for stakeholders to comment on the proposals.

These new arrangements will not change the substance or standards of regulation or compromise the independence of the nuclear regulatory body, and will not affect the decisions it takes or the international obligations the Government requires it to meet.

Subject to the outcome of the consultation and Parliamentary approval, and if the Parliamentary timetable permits, the aim is to bring the new body into being during 2010.

An internal change programme is currently operating within ND to ensure that the ND is ready to operate as a statutory corporation from spring 2010.

This programme does not in anyway compromise the current regulatory activities of ND.

Inspections

The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) Site Inspector visited Dungeness A Site during the quarter. Inspections were made on the following days:

1-2 April 2009
16-18 June 2009

Routine matters

Compliance inspections

Routine inspections are undertaken for the purpose of monitoring compliance with (i) the conditions attached by HSE to the nuclear site licences, and (ii) other relevant provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, including the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999.

In this period routine inspections covered the following:

Emergency arrangements
The effectiveness of Internal Challenge
The Schedule of Regulatory Activities
Regulatory Review Meeting
Documents and Records
Annual Review
Organisational Change

Non-routine matters

NII have inspected the Magnox plans to transfer active resin to a temporary store (ductile cast iron containers). Active commissioning of this equipment has been agreed.

NII remain satisfied with the progress of re-cladding work around the Turbine Hall and Reactor Buildings and re-roofing work on the Reactor 2 building. The work will provide a safe environment for essential nuclear systems.

NII have elevated the new Electrical Overlay System to the Regulatory Schedule and will regulate the progress to completion. This is important as it will replace old, obsolete equipment and provide essential supplies to the Reactor Buildings and Fuel Route.

The above work is seen as essential investment in infrastructure to maintain the condition of the nuclear island throughout defueling and decommissioning.

Regulatory activity

As part of its regulation under nuclear site licences, NII issues regulatory documents, collectively termed Licence Instruments. One instrument was issued this quarter.

Licence Instrument 505 issued on the 7th May 2009 was an agreement (under LC 35(1) arrangements) to commence active commissioning of the active resin transfer system.

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.