Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
- December 2023
Aim of inspection
The purpose of this inspection is to gain assurance that the arrangements at Dounreay for periodic safety reviews (PSR) are adequate and that the recent PRS conducted in D1206 is in line with expectations.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC15 - Periodic Review - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
Dounreay’s periodic safety review (PSR) process re-evaluated the scope of operations currently carried out in the facilities under consideration (D1206/1234) and the associated hazards. The principle outcome of these reviews substantially reduced the amount of identified equipment required to be specified to maintain nuclear and radiological safety. Overall the re-evaluation of the hazards and the “resizing” of the safety case was viewed appropriate and an area of good practice.
The ONR inspection team considered the documentation provided to support the PSR review, including review of operational experience, engineering substantiations and operating instructions; I considered these reviews were in line with regulatory expectations.
During the inspection the D1206 facility had had no heating for ~17 weeks and had had water leaking through the facility from blocked guttering for a number of weeks. I viewed this level of water ingress to a facility with known radiological contamination and through electrical cabling to be a clear hazard. Further, I viewed it as poor practice not to provide appropriate heating for both working conditions and for managing long term facility repair. These matters will be further considered through ONR’s enforcement process.
The ONR inspection team reviewed the storage arrangements of chemicals on the facilities, these generally appeared reasonable, been stored in marked bunded areas. Most of the chemicals appeared to have been stored for a prolonged length of time, likely in the order of 10 years. A regulatory issue (RI-11862 - disposal of legacy waste chemicals) has now been raised to ensure that Dounreay review and establish a disposal route for their legacy waste chemicals across site.
Conclusion
Overall I viewed that Dounreay’s PSR process was fit for purpose and rated this aspect of the inspection green.
During this inspection a number of aspects have been identified with regard to the condition that Magnox Ltd is maintaining the facilities at Dounreay, these matters will be considered through ONR’s enforcement process.