Office for Nuclear Regulation

Chapelcross – Inspection ID: 22-022

  • Site: Chapelcross
  • IR number: 22-022
  • Date: May 2022
  • LC numbers: N/A

Executive summary

Purpose of Intervention

I undertook this inspection to examine Magnox Limited’s arrangements for compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) for controlling exposures at the Magnox Limited Chapelcross site. This was one of a series of routine planned IRR17 inspections for 2022/23 in support of ONR’s Decommissioning Fuel and Waste (DFW) sub-division strategy (2020/261871) and DFW Inspection planning guidance (2020/917).

Interventions Carried Out by ONR

I inspected the Magnox Limited Chapelcross site against the following legislation and relevant good practice (RGP):

  • Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017, its related Approved Code of Practice and Guidance. HSE Publication L121.

The main provisions of IRR17 require dutyholders to restrict exposures to ionising radiations so far as is reasonably practicable. The focus of this inspection was on the following IRR17 provisions:

  • General principles and procedures (regulations 8 to 13).
  • Arrangements for the management of radiation protection (regulations 14, 15 and 16).
  • Designated areas (regulations 17 to 20).

ONR provided an outline inspection scope (2022/33751) to enable the site to prepare for the inspection. The scope identified topics ONR expected to cover during the inspection and the information required prior to the inspection.

This intervention comprised inspection of facilities on site including locations designated as Radiation Controlled Areas, interviews with staff and a review of documentation provided as evidence of compliance with IRR17.

Key Findings, Inspector’s Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made

I sampled and reviewed the licensee’s arrangements against the IRR17 provisions listed in paragraph 3, and the implementation of those arrangements at the Chapelcross site. Based on the evidence sampled at the time of this inspection, it is my judgement that Chapelcross is implementing effective arrangements for compliance with the requirements of IRR17. I also highlighted opportunities for the licensee to achieve better alignment with published relevant good practice.

Conclusion of Intervention

I judged Chapelcross implementation of its IRR17 arrangements to be adequate in the areas inspected.