The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has notified Urenco ChemPlants Ltd. and Babcock Critical Services Ltd. that both organisations will be prosecuted for health and safety offences.
This relates to an incident that occurred in February 2024 at the Tails Management Facility on the Urenco UK Ltd. nuclear licensed site in Capenhurst, near Chester.
A metal container holding almost 11 tonnes of uranium oxide powder fell from a forklift truck, striking surrounding equipment within the facility.
The impact resulted in a small amount of uranium oxide powder being released into the facility.
No workers were injured and there were no consequences for the public during this incident.
The decision to begin legal proceedings follows an investigation by ONR, the UK’s independent nuclear regulator.
ONR will announce details of the date and location of the first hearing when available.
Urenco ChemPlants Ltd. operates as a tenant organisation on the Urenco UK Ltd. licensed site, and Babcock Critical Services Ltd. is a contractor on the site.
As legal proceedings are now active, ONR cannot provide further comment at this time.