HSE team inspection of the control and supervision of operations at BNFL’s Sellafield Site - Appendix 1

Recommendation 1

BNFL should improve and reissue its policies on health and safety and related matters.

Recommendation 2

BNFL should improve and implement its safety management system to be consistent with its chosen model.

Recommendation 3

BNFL should continue to develop and implement a clearer management structure from Board level downwards which identifies the safety responsibilities for each post and how post holders will be held accountable.

Recommendation 4

BNFL should develop and implement an effective system for the independent inspection, audit and review of health and safety.

Recommendation 5

BNFL should ensure that so far as is reasonably practicable, only one set of detailed working arrangements is used across the site so as to ensure uniform implementation of the Sellafield Safety Regulations.

Recommendation 6

BNFL should develop and implement performance standards and define responsibilities for the control and supervision of operations across the site.

Recommendation 7

BNFL should review its organisation structure and implement changes to ensure that appropriate reporting lines are in place.

Recommendation 8

BNFL should develop and implement arrangements to ensure that it retains day to day control of operations across the site.

Recommendation 9

BNFL should develop and implement arrangements to ensure that its managers have sufficient time to manage the safe operation of their plants.

Recommendation 10

BNFL should develop and implement arrangements to ensure that for each person whose activities may affect safety, there is a systematic assessment of roles, responsibilities and workload.

Recommendation 11

BNFL should develop and implement a consistent and effective system for the definition, control and recording of safety-related training.

Recommendation 12

BNFL should develop and implement a consistent and effective system for the appointment of DAPs and SQEPs.

Recommendation 13

BNFL should develop and implement an effective system to proactively monitor that safety is being managed on plant.

Recommendation 14

BNFL should improve and implement arrangements for the recording, reporting and investigation of incidents.

Recommendation 15

BNFL should improve the learning from experience system and demonstrate to NII that it has become an effective and accepted tool across the site.

Recommendation 16

BNFL should negotiate with other nuclear chemical plant licensees to establish a formal system for the exchange of information.

Recommendation 17

BNFL should undertake a systematic assessment of the baseline resource levels it requires to undertake its current activities before any further changes to its organisational structure are made.

Recommendation 18

BNFL should implement its arrangements for the identification of minimum staffing levels.

Recommendation 19

BNFL should improve and implement its arrangements for the identification of key roles and to fill identified vacancies.

Recommendation 20

BNFL should improve and implement its management of change procedure.

Recommendation 21

BNFL should develop and implement a proactive system for operators to confirm that plant is being operated within its safety envelope.

Recommendation 22

BNFL should develop and implement a system for following up deviations from normal operations

Recommendation 23

BNFL should develop and implement a system for the control of plant configuration, which includes appropriate labelling of plant and equipment.

Recommendation 24

BNFL should identify its best practices on the application of safe systems of work and implement them on a site-wide basis.

Recommendation 25

BNFL should improve and implement a system for the isolation, handover and handback of plant and equipment

Recommendation 26

BNFL should implement a programme to improve the safety behaviour of staff and management.

Recommendation 27

BNFL should review the resources available to and the expertise of management and demonstrate to NII that this is sufficient to ensure that management's actions match their words.

Recommendation 28

BNFL should rationalise and prioritise the current safety initiatives in order to avoid initiative overload and minimise the impact on the workload of management.

References

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Chapter 37, HMSO, ISBN 0 10 543774 3
Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (as amended), Chapter 57, HMSO, ISBN 0 10 850216 3
The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985, SI 1985/1333, HMSO, ISBN 0 11 057333 1
The Tolerability of Risk from Nuclear Power Stations, HMSO 1992, ISBN 0 11 8863868 1
Safety Assessment Principles for Nuclear Plants, HMSO1992, ISBN 0 11 882043 5
Nuclear Site Licences under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (as amended), Notes for applicants, HS(G)120, HSE Books 1994, ISBN 0 7176 0795 X 7
Successful Health and Safety Management, HSG65, HSE Books 1997, ISBN 0 7176 1276 7 8
Managing for Safety at Nuclear Installations, HSE Books 1996, ISBN 0 7176 1185 X 9
Writing a safety policy statement, Advice to employers, HSC(6)Rev 1999
Fleck, Sir Alexander, Report of the Committee appointed by the Prime Minister to examine The Organisation for Control of Health and Safety in the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Command 342, HMSO 1958
Oil Industry Advisory Committee Guidance on Permit-to-Work Systems in the Petroleum Industry, Third Edition, HSE Books 1997, ISBN 0 7176 1281 3.

Added to HSE website on 18th February 2000