- Site: Hunterston B
- IR number: 19-100
- Date: November 2019
- LC numbers: 30
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
The purpose of the Intervention was for EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Limited (NGL) to present the findings to date of the Hunterston B R3 2019 periodic shutdown to ONR. The shutdown of R3 has been undertaken in compliance with the Nuclear Site Licence.
ONR also attended the Annual Review of Safety meeting.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
A team of ONR Inspectors conducted an LC30 Compliance Inspection as per the Hunterston B (HNB) Integrated Intervention Strategy (IIS) Plan for 2019/20. The Inspection was carried out to provide confidence to ONR post the HNB R3 Statutory Outage that the station had completed all required maintenance and that there were no issues that would prevent ONR Consenting to Restart in due course.
For LC30 an inspection of key outage work areas was conducted with ONR, station and INA personnel. A Start-up meeting was held between ONR and station personnel to present a summary of outage work and to review the outstanding work requirements prior to ONR being in a position to issue its consent to restart Reactor 3, (subject to a satisfactory graphite safety case being agreed by ONR).
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
For LC30 the ONR inspection team were satisfied that the station has satisfactorily completed the necessary work scope for the R3 2019 statutory outage, with the exception of work that cannot yet be completed due to plant requirements (e.g. those items to be completed during or post start-up). The site inspection of work areas identified that the station have taken proactive measures during the extended outage period to improve several areas of plant as well as reviewing their working practices to introduce more challenge and rigour including their “Match Fit” initiative.
A small number of low priority actions were identified to track required work before Consent can be issued. Overall there were no regulatory issues raised and based on the evidence provided we gave an inspection rating of Green – no formal action’ for compliance with LC30.
The Annual Review of Safety and Security meeting was an opportunity for ONR and station to reflect on its performance. Whilst station has continued to deliver a strong nuclear safety and security performance over the year, a number of industrial safety events have highlighted where continued focus on safety and security is required.
Conclusion of Intervention
The ONR inspection team provided a summary of the plant inspection, which identified no negative findings, as well as feedback on the Start-up meeting presentations. No regulatory actions were raised as part of this Inspection.