- Site: Hinkley Point C
- IR number: 21-024
- Date: September 2021
- LC numbers: N/A
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
In accordance with the Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR) Strategy, ONR undertakes a series of planned interventions at nuclear licensed sites. This intervention forms part of ONR’s 2020/21 Integrated Intervention Strategy for New Reactors.
The purpose of the intervention was to gain assurance of the effectiveness of health and safety and fire safety management arrangements at Hinkley Point C (HPC) prior to the release of the bulk mechanical, electrical, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (MEH) hold point. In particular, the intervention was to gain assurance that NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited (NNB GenCo) and the MEH Alliance (MEHA) have met their responsibilities as a Principal Contractor (PC) and contractor in line with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM 2015) and their responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO 2005).
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
The intervention was conducted in two parts. There was an initial remote meeting, where NNB GenCo and the MEHA provided an overview of the health and safety management arrangements via presentations. The presentation was provided to ONR conventional health and safety inspectors. The second part of the intervention was a site visit which inspected arrangements in line with CDM 2015 (in the HGE gallery) and RRO 2005 (in the HGE gallery and electrical building (HF)). This site visit was undertaken by a conventional health and safety inspector and a fire safety inspector and this report combines the findings.
The intervention was rated in line with the ONR General Inspection Guidance (ONR-INSP-GD-064).
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
There is very limited construction work being undertaken by the MEHA. However, it was judged that NNB GenCo and the MEHA have formed an integrated alliance. From the areas sampled, there are currently sufficient health and safety and fire safety management arrangements to oversee activities. However, as the numbers on site are limited there is a requirement to continue with regulatory oversight during bulk MEH installation.
NNB GenCo has an effective competency framework in place that ensures that suitably qualified personnel are in place for health and safety and fire safety. The MEHA has a recruitment and mobilisation process that aims to align with the NNB GenCo process and ensure a planned approach to confirming competence and identifying skills and gaps as work increases. NNB GenCo and the MEHA should ensure that the works carried out are proportionate to the resources currently at their disposal for health and safety and fire safety advisors.
Conclusion of Intervention
Overall, ONR concluded that an inspection rating of GREEN was appropriate. As work increases on site, ONR will monitor progress of the development and implementation of the NNB GenCo and MEHA integrated health and safety and fire safety management arrangements.