- Site: Heysham 1
- IR number: 22-004
- Date: April 2022
- LC numbers: 26, 30
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This was a planned intervention of EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Limited’s (NGL) Heysham 1 (HYA) power station, undertaken as part of the intervention strategy for the Operating Facilities Division (OFD) of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
The intervention was conducted in accordance with the planned inspection programme in the Heysham 1 Integrated Intervention Strategy (IIS) for 2022/23.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
The intervention was led by the Project Inspector for the HYA reactor 2 periodic shutdown 2022 and consisted of on-site inspections against:
- Licence condition (LC) 26 – Control and Supervision of Operations
- Licence condition 30 – Periodic Shutdown
The purpose of LC26 is to ensure that no operations are carried out which may affect safety except under the control and supervision of suitably qualified and experienced persons appointed for that purpose by the licensee. The purpose of LC30 is to ensure that any plant or process is shutdown in accordance with the requirements of its maintenance schedule to enable examination, inspection, maintenance or testing to take place.
The intervention was performed in line with ONR’s guidance requirements (as described in our technical inspection guides) in the areas inspected.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
Not applicable (this was not a system-based inspection).
Key Findings, Inspector’s Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
Both inspections were conducted to inform ONR’s decision to grant Consent to restart reactor 2 after completion of its periodic shut down.
The LC26 inspection was to confirm the effective implementation of the control and supervision arrangements during the Reactor 2 periodic shutdown. The inspection targeted control, direct supervision and pre-job briefs. The LC30 inspection was to confirm the effective implementation of the periodic shutdown management arrangements during the Reactor 2 periodic shutdown. The inspection targeted periodic shutdown management, defence in depth and quality assurance.
During the inspection, the pre-job brief I observed covered the key aspects and risks of the work being undertaken, but there was a lack of understanding of the purpose/significance of the plant being worked on and purpose of some of the monitoring equipment specified for the task. This was fed back to the station management who committed to reviewing and improving training.
I judged that NGL adequately demonstrated compliance with the requirements of LC26 and LC30 and therefore rated both inspections as Green, no formal regulatory action.
Conclusion of Intervention
There were no findings from these inspections that could significantly undermine nuclear safety or would prevent the start-up of reactor 2. At present, no additional regulatory action is needed over and above the planned interventions at Heysham 1 power station as set out in the Integrated Intervention Strategy, which will continue as planned.