- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 21-006 (SAF)
- Date: June 2021
- LC numbers: N/A
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This inspection was one of programme of planned inspections at Sellafield Ltd (SL) during 2021/22, developed in accordance with the Safeguards Sub-Division strategy. This inspection was a Physical Inventory Take Evaluation (PITe) inspection of SL’s arrangements against the Nuclear Safeguards Regulations 2019 (NSR19).
Purpose of Intervention
The purpose of this Physical Inventory Taking (PIT) Evaluation was to provide ONR with regulatory assurance that SL’s Nuclear Materials & Accountancy Control, Safeguards (NMACS) system at Dounreay Exotics Storage Facility (DESF), required under Regulation 6(1) of NSR19, is maintained such that the operator can demonstrate the system and its implementation meets relevant good practice and the requirements specified in Regulation 10(1)(e) and, where relevant, Schedule 2 of NSR19 in relation to the PIT.
The inspection was carried out as part of ONR’s Safeguards’ inspection and assessment plan 2021/22 for Sellafield.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
This intervention was performed in line with ONR's guidance (as described in the relevant technical inspection guides, which can be found on ONR’s website.
The inspection targeted:
- The accuracy of the Physical Inventory Listing (PIL) required under Regulation 15 of NSR19 and the corresponding List of Inventory Items (LII).
- The traceability and accuracy of accounting and operating records which underpin the LII and the PIL.
- The implementation of SL’s arrangements for a PIT at DESF.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
I evaluated the LII and PIL from the 2021 PIT at DESF, as well as a selection of operating and accounting records that underpin them. I found that the records sampled were consistent, fully traceable, and contained the information required by NSR19. I considered that all records sampled during the inspection were well managed and readily retrievable in line with ONR expectations in Material Accountancy and Control Expectation(s) (MACE) 8.3 of ONR Guidance for Nuclear Materials, Accountancy Control & Safeguards (ONMACS). SL evidenced the implementation of in-depth quality assurance checking on these records received from Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) which I considered as good practice. On this basis I judged that SL are compliant with the requirements of Regulations 10 and 11 for the operating and accounting records, and Regulation 15 and relevant parts in Schedule 2 of NSR19 with regards to the LII, PIL and Material Balance Report (MBR).
I sampled the implementation of SL’s PIT arrangements and SL’s PIT assurance process. I observed implementation of SL’s PIT assurance process that captured outstanding actions and relevant learning from the PIT and judged it to be good practise. Based on this sampling, I judged that SL had adequately implemented their arrangements for a PIT at DESF and are therefore compliant with regulation 9(1) of NSR19.
I provided feedback to SL on the inspection including regulatory advice and observations at a close-out meeting with management representatives who accepted the feedback.
Conclusion of Intervention
No matters requiring immediate regulatory attention were identified during this inspection.
Based on the evidence sampled, in my opinion SL is complying with the relevant requirements of Regulations 6, 9, 10, 11, 15, and of Schedule 2 in NSR19 with regards to a PIT. Noting ONR guidance on inspection ratings, I consider this inspection to merit a rating of green.