Dounreay - LC17 compliance inspection IIS Code 100 series inspection activities

• Site: Dounreay
• IR number: 19-113
• Date: October 2019
• LC numbers: 17

Executive summary

Purpose of Intervention

The purpose of this inspection was to undertake a licence condition (LC) compliance inspection and a number of other inspection activities at Dounreay in accordance with the 2018/19 Integrated Intervention Strategy (IIS) for the site to confirm that the licensee is controlling its hazards and complying with its statutory obligations.

Interventions Carried Out by ONR

The purpose of this inspection was to confirm compliance against the requirements of LC17 [Management systems]:  Specifically DSRL’s arrangements for the management of their supply chain and the implementation of those arrangements in support of the following projects:

• Dounreay Materials Test Reactor (DMTR) Decommissioning;
• Residual Sodium Removal Projects [Reactors decommissioning].

In addition, the inspection also provided the opportunity to conduct other inspections, specifically:

• Review of progress against regulatory issues as recorded on the ONR Regulatory Issues Database and other regulatory actions agreed during previous ONR inspection activities;
• Meeting with the site safety representatives;
• Review of DSRL’s internal regulation activities.

Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate

Not applicable.

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

The LC17 inspection focused on DSRL’s supply chain management arrangements and the implementation of those arrangements in support of two of two decommissioning projects on site, namely:

• The Residual Metal Coolant Removal projects. These projects are being delivered currently against the previous decommissioning model whereby DSRL staff provides the bulk of the supervisory and operational staff.
• The DMTR decommissioning project. This project is being used a pilot to assess a revised operational model. The project is being delivered by the new Programme Delivery Directorate utilising a combination of DSRL and specialist contracted supervisory and operational staff.

This inspection also provided an opportunity to conduct a plant walk-down within DMTR.  Acknowledging that the amount of work ongoing was limited, ONR were satisfied that the supervisory and control arrangements for this stage of the work were adequate.

Conclusion of Intervention

Overall, we consider that DSRL’s arrangements and their implementation in those areas inspected meet the requirements of LC17.  In addition, we consider that the site is making adequate progress in addressing matters raised in previous inspections and continues to demonstrate an adequate internal regulation capability.  We did not identify any matter impacting on nuclear safety that required any further immediate regulatory action.