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Dounreay - Inspection ID: 50080

Executive summary

Date(s) of inspection:

  • March 2023

Aim of inspection

To confirm Dounreay compliance with relevant electrical and industrial safety standards with regard to electrical safety. As well as to ensure that relevant nuclear safety and security electrical demands are met with appropriate reliability.

Subject(s) of inspection

  • Health & Safety at Work Act - Rating: Amber
  • LC26 - Control and supervision of operations - Rating: Green

Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made

This was a planned inspection to sample the Dounreay site electrical distribution system against the requirements of Licence Condition 26 (Control and supervision of operations) and electrical safety. Arrangements were sampled for the control and supervision of electrical work.  Appropriate arrangement were found for the appointment and training of electrical staff, including safety and oversight roles.   Electrical switch rooms, control rooms and plant areas and standby generators were visited.  Work, including condition monitoring and testing, was underway during the visit and the arrangements for controlling this were sampled and found to be in order. The plant walk down identified areas where certain electrical equipment was found in a degraded state and regulatory advice was given. From the evidence seen and interactions with Dounreay personnel I am content that LC26 is rated as Green (no formal action). On account of the regulatory advice given for various aspects of electrical safety I have assessed compliance with Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 as Amber (seek improvement).

Conclusion

From the evidence seen I am of the opinion that appropriate processes are in place to control work and operations on the Dounreay electrical system in accordance with LC26.  This includes defined electrical safety roles of Nominated, Authorised and Senior Authorised Persons (Electrical) and their associated appointment process.  I found that electrical operations and work were appropriately controlled.  Therefore I am content that LC26 is rated as Green (no formal action). On account of the regulatory advice given for various aspects of electrical safety I have assessed compliance with Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 as Amber (seek improvement).