URENCO Limited Capenhurst - Transport Management System Inspection (SVC4365474)

• Site: Urenco UK Ltd
• IR number: 17-179
• Date: February 2018
• LC numbers: N/A

Executive summary

Purpose of Intervention

The purpose of this inspection at URENCO UK Limited (UUK) was:

• To confirm the adequacy of the organisation’s management system arrangements relative to the safe transport of radioactive materials.
• To provide current information on the adequacy of UUK’s compliance with the transport regulations which is needed to inform decisions by ONR’s Competent Authority (CA) on approving packages for use and also future interventions.
• To consider the arrangements and capability of UUK to manage Class 7 transport operations in accordance with the transport regulations, using suitably trained and competent staff; to improve safety outcomes by assuring, and where necessary, improving levels of industry compliance with regulatory requirements; and encouraging relevant good practice.

Intervention Carried Out by ONR

The inspection reviewed UUK arrangements in respect of the safe transport of radioactive material, against the requirements of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009.

Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate

Not applicable.

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

Inspection Methodology

The Inspector examined a sample of the transport arrangements deployed by UUK for the safe transport of radioactive material, including the associated management system documents. For this inspection this comprised of:

• Quality Management System
• Incidents & Non-Compliance
• Transport Operations UF6 Cylinders 
• Audit & Review
• Package Approvals and Use
• Transport Package Maintenance & Testing
• Transport Emergency Response Arrangements
• Training & Competency

UUK procedures for these transport operations, processes and the relevant records were examined and implementation reviewed.  The Inspector compared relevant statutory requirements with both prescribed arrangements and actual practice.

The findings of this inspection will be used to inform  ONR’s view of UUK’s compliance with several key themes in the regulations for the transport of radioactive material:

• Management Systems
• Package Modification Control
• Package Maintenance & Operations
• Package Preparation for Consignment
• Safe Carriage of Packages
• Training & Competence
• Emergency Planning & Testing
• Incidents, Events & Compliance History

Inspection Findings

I identified two issues that UUK agreed to resolve prior to their first consignment of the GB/3516B transport package. I identified one issue relating to UF6 cylinders that UUK agreed to resolve as a matter of priority. These matters will be followed-up to monitor for progress to satisfactory completion.  Operations of the UF6 cylinder filling, blending and transport appeared well managed and effective.

Conclusion of Intervention

The inspection revealed that the GB/3516B package related transport arrangements need to be developed in some areas and UUK agreed to address these shortfalls prior to the first consignment using the package. With that exception, the UUK arrangements examined in relation to the transport of radioactive material were deemed to be adequate.