- Site: Chapelcross
- IR number: 22-024
- Date: May 2022
- LC numbers: 2, 9, 16
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This intervention was aimed at informing the release of the regulatory hold point that will enable the licensee at Chapelcross (CHX) to commence activated Cobalt retrieval operations from the Ponds.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
I carried out a site intervention of CHX’s arrangements and their implementation for MAC and Cobalt retrieval operations.
The inspection was carried out against the relevant ONR inspection and licence condition guidance, applied proportionally, and targeted at the pond retrieval activities.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
N/A. This was not a safety systems inspection.
Key Findings, Inspector’s Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
The intervention was to judge whether to release the Cobalt retrievals regulatory hold point and included the following elements:
- to sample the relevant Cobalt Retrievals Project documentation and Plant Safety Panel (PSP) meeting documents to assess Magnox Limited’s (ML) governance of the retrievals project.
- To review the arrangements for radiation risk assessments under the requirements of Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17).
I confirmed that arrangements for the retrieval of Miscellaneous Activated Components (MAC) and Cobalt waste were adequate. I found evidence of plant readiness and I am confident that the plant DAP and operators are Suitably Qualified and Experienced Persons (SQEP) to carry out MAC and Cobalt retrieval activities.
From the evidence gathered during the intervention related to readiness for Cobalt retrieval operations, I am content that the arrangements are adequate.
A level 4 regulatory issue was raised to perform an audit of recent incident logging on the site IT system. This issue was relevant to minor repairs to the site infrastructure and was not relevant to the pond retrievals project.
Conclusion of Intervention
I consider that the appropriate regulatory action is to release the regulatory hold point to enable CHX to commence Cobalt ILW retrieval operations.