Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment (NRTE), at Dounreay

Site Stakeholder Group Report

Quarterly Report for 1 July to 30 September 2010

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 Dounreay Stakeholders Group (DSG) and covers activities associated with the regulation of nuclear safety at the Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment (NRTE). 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 DSG meetings and will respond to questions raised there or subsequently by members of the DSG.

Inspections

The majority of sites inspected by HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII), part of the Health and Safety Executive, are licensed by HSE/NII under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (as amended). Vulcan NRTE is not a licensed site although it operates under Authorisation from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR). The site is adjacent to the Dounreay Licenced Site and is regulated by HSE/NII through other legislation as noted below. This report summarises the inspection and regulatory activities associated with Vulcan NRTE which are coordinated with inspections by DNSR. The focus for Vulcan NRTE is safe and timely testing of submarine reactor performance to enable continued safe operation of the UK’s nuclear submarine fleet.

The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate Site Inspector did not visit the site during the quarter.

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Routine matters

With limited resources, HSE-NII necessarily employs a sampling regime in its regulation of sites that is proportionate to the risks, and which is targeted primarily on those activities with the highest risks or where the hazards are least well controlled.

Inspections on site are undertaken are taken as part of monitoring compliance with:

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act (HSWA) 1974 and
Regulations made under the HSWA for example the Ionising Radiations Regulations1999 (IRR99), the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001 (REPPIR) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSW99)

During the reporting period it was agreed that the DNSR inspection activity was sufficient to ensure that risks to the workforce and public were properly controlled. It is also confirmed that no mandatory regulatory intervention was required from HSE-NII inspectors during the period.

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Non routine matters

Operators are required to have arrangements to respond to non-routine matters and events. HSE/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 reporting period.

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Regulatory activity

Under Health and Safety legislation HSE/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

Transforming our business

Although the previous government's proposals to establish a separate Office for Nuclear Regulation is still with ministers for consideration, the challenges of interacting with and regulating the modern nuclear industry in the UK remains. As a response to this ND has established a change programme focusing on improved ways of working and improved engagement with stakeholders, this programme also reflects the organisation's aim to be recognised as a world-class regulator.

While ND is committed to rising to the challenge of implementing major organisational and operational change, it will not be distracted from taking forward its ongoing high priority work to secure the protection of people and society from the hazards of the nuclear industry.

ND is committed that throughout this process of transformation its stakeholders are kept fully informed of the changes and any decisions that are made regarding the future structure of the Regulator; this will be achieved through reports such as the Stakeholder Group reports and on the HSE Website.