Sellafield Ltd complies with improvement notice

The Office for Nuclear Regulation can confirm that Sellafield Ltd has now complied with the requirements of an improvement notice served in July 2024.

The enforcement action was taken after Sellafield Ltd failed to manage the risks of working with nickel nitrate and to prevent or adequately control exposure of workers to this hazardous substance in one of its effluent facilities.

Used in the treatment of effluent, nickel nitrate is not radioactive, but it is a hazardous substance and could cause harm to the health of workers exposed to it.

These shortfalls did not compromise either nuclear or radiological safety.

Dr Gary Cook, ONR Principal Inspector, said: “Sellafield Ltd has demonstrated commitment to achieving compliance with the notice requirements, supported by our regular oversight throughout the process.

"We are satisfied that Sellafield Ltd has successfully identified and implemented appropriate control measures to mitigate and reduce the risks to workers from nickel nitrate exposure."

ONR served the notice under Regulation 7 of COSHH, which required Sellafield Ltd to either prevent or, where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately control exposure of workers to nickel nitrate.