- Site: Sellafield
- IR number: 21-035 (SAF)
- Date: March 2022
- LC numbers: N/A
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
In accordance with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) Safeguards inspection and assessment plan 2021/22 for Sellafield, ONR Safeguards carries out Safeguards compliance inspections at the Sellafield Limited (SL) site. One such intervention was performed to inspect SL’s compliance within the Remediation Value Stream with the requirements of the Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (NSR19) in relation to nuclear material accountancy. For this intervention the Material Balance Area (MBA) known as QS20 (THORP Receipt and Storage) was selected and the inspection planned as an accountancy focused compliance inspection.
This inspection sought to collect evidence of arrangements and their implementation to make judgements of compliance against NSR19 Regulations 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
I carried out an accountancy compliance inspection, focussing on the THORP receipt and storage MBA QS20, at the SL nuclear licensed site. The inspection comprised of discussions with SL staff, reviews of operating and accounting records, and a plant walkdown.
The inspection targeted the completeness and correctness of the operating and accounting records (source documentation) which underpinned a sample of batches I selected of Qualifying Nuclear Material (QNM) declared in the accountancy reports for this facility. The inspection also targeted whether these source documents were traceable to the accountancy reports and whether arrangements for generation of source documentation and accountancy reports at QS20 were adequately implemented by demonstrably suitably qualified and experienced personnel (SQEP).
This intervention was performed in line with ONR's guidance (as described in the relevant technical inspection guides, which can be found on our website.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
No shortfalls in compliance against NSR19 were identified during this intervention.
Based on the sample I inspected, I judge SL has adequately implemented their arrangements for nuclear material accountancy and control of QNM in QS20. I judged the sampled operating and accounting records to be compliant with NSR19 Regulations 10 and 11 respectively. I also judged that these records were traceable to and underpin the declarations within the accountancy reports submitted to ONR in line with NSR19 Regulations 12, 14 and 15.
Based on the plant walkdown and discussions I held with the key SL staff on plant and within the Nuclear Material Accountancy and Safeguards team I judge that SL are implementing their arrangements as described in their Accountancy and Control Plan (ACP) as required by NSR19 Regulation 9 and that implementation of these arrangements is providing appropriate accountancy and control of qualifying nuclear material within this MBA as required in NSR19 Regulation 6.
I provided four pieces of regulatory advice relating to: an area of improvement for the QS20 BTC, to continue the ongoing quality assurance checks for slotted can IDs, regarding the pond map quality assurance check frequency captured in the ACP and regarding formal capture of relevant training.
I made two observations regarding: good practice in safety and security escorting of ONR inspectors while on site, recognition of the positive impact the digitisation project is having on safeguards efficiency.
I was satisfied that the documentation reviewed, records sampled and evidence collected was adequate and I therefore judged SL to be compliant against NSR19 Regulations 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15.
Conclusion of Intervention
Based on the sample inspected during the intervention, I judge that SL are implementing their arrangements for accountancy and control of QNM in-line with regulatory expectations and are compliant with NSR19 Regulations 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15. I did not identify any significant or minor shortfalls.
Upon consideration of the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, I judge that a rating of GREEN (no formal action) is appropriate. No regulatory issues will be raised.