Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
May 2025
Aim of inspection
The purpose of this intervention at the EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd (NGL) Heysham 2 power station was to observe the Level 1 emergency exercise ‘ATHENA’ and to form a judgement as to the adequacy of the arrangements for emergency response required by Licence Condition (LC) 11.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC 11 - Emergency arrangements - Rating: GREEN
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
This Heysham 2 Level 1 exercise named “ATHENA” was the annual demonstration to ONR to provide evidence that stations emergency plan can be implemented to protect the general public, site personnel, the environment, control plant and ensure compliance with security requirements. The exercise scenario was provided to ONR prior to the demonstration and was deemed to be suitably challenging.
The main elements of the scenario included declaration of the incident, mustering of site personnel, dealing with damaged plant and equipment (Leakage and fire), management of casualties and accounting for potential radiological released and associated dose control.
Heysham 2 were self critical during their own feedback following the exercise demonstration and have identified areas of strength, and a number of areas that require improving and which will be assigned action plans to address. Both ONR and EDF Independent Nuclear Assurance teams observing the exercise were well aligned in their findings and overall an adequate demonstration of the Heysham 2 emergency plan was observed. However we noted a number of shortfalls in the following areas which will require improvement:
- Casualty management including initial first aid treatment and forward management to extract from incident area.
- Decision making around capabilities to fight fires and ensuring a timely response.
- Lack of situational awareness between control room simulator, emergency control centre and security gate house personnel regarding emergency service access and coordination on to site.
ONR will continue to engage with Heysham 2 to ensure an action plan is produced to address these shortfalls. An ONR letter will be issued to Heysham 2 to set out the improvements required and a regulatory issue will be raised to track the implementation of the agreed actions within agreed timescales.
Conclusion
Overall, the exercise demonstration was judged adequate and there was positive observations in meeting the exercise scenario objectives. A GREEN rating was assigned for this LC11 exercise demonstration noting improvement is required in the areas identified above.