- Site: Hinkley Point C
- IR number: 22-008
- Date: June 2022
- LC numbers: 10, 12
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
In accordance with the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s (ONR’s) Hinkley Point C (HPC) Construction Inspection Plan, ONR performs a series of planned compliance inspections of identified licence conditions (LC) and other applicable legislation, to ensure that NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd (NNB GenCo (HPC)), is meeting its legal requirements.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
LC10 requires the Licensee to make and implement adequate arrangements for suitable training for all those with responsibility for any operations that may affect safety.
LC12 requires the Licensee to make and implement adequate arrangements to ensure that individuals, who perform duties which may affect the safety of operations, or any other activities pertinent to safety, are competent.
ONR carried out the following LC10/12 intervention:
- A two day intervention to gain assurance that NNB GenCo (HPC) has in place robust competency management arrangements for its Nuclear Baseline posts.
The following guidance was used in this intervention:
- Nuclear Safety Technical Inspection Guide, Licence Condition 12 – Duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experienced persons, NS-INSP-GD-012 Revision 3
- Nuclear Safety Technical Assessment Guide, Training and Assuring Personal Competence, NS-TAST-GD-027 Revision 6.1
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
N/A as this was not a safety systems inspection.
Key Findings, Inspector’s Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
I found that NNB GenCo (HPC) has in place adequate competency management arrangements for its Nuclear Baseline posts. Progress is being made in the learning from the intelligent replication of NNB GenCo (HPC)’s arrangements by NNB GenCo (SZC).
I carried out interviews with a variety of Nuclear Baseline post holders and reviewed documentary evidence associated with competency compliance. I found that the arrangements were adequate. A review of the service provided by the Nuclear Skills Alliance has been undertaken as it enters into its delivery phase of the common competency project. This work is to be underpinned by a fully resourced delivery plan.
The intervention identified some areas for improvement, which will be monitored via a Regulatory Issue.
Conclusion of Intervention
I judge that on the basis of the evidence sampled the licensee has adequately implemented competency management arrangements for control of their Nuclear Baseline posts. On this basis I judge that an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is merited. Further development of the arrangements is planned, which ONR will gain assurance on both via ongoing regular engagements and monitoring of the Regulatory Issue.