Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
April 2025
Aim of inspection
The aim of inspection was to sample evidence to demonstrate Sizewell B’s compliance with Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) by confirming how the site manage risks associated with lifting operations and use of lifting equipment (including accessories).
Subject(s) of inspection
- Lifting / LOLER - Rating: GREEN
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The inspection targeted EDF Nuclear Generation Limited (NGL) change to their company specification in relation to the categorisation of lifting operations. Rather than having basic and complex lifts, they have also introduced the category of an intermediate lift. This change brought the company specification in line with the British Standard (BS7121-1).
The inspection involved a day on site which primarily consisted of a site walk-down. Documents associated with the inspection were inspected off-site to enable more time sampling what happens in practice. The site walk down sampled:
The lifting stores;
The dry fuel store;
The CW pump house; and
Interactions with fork lift truck operatives.
EDF NGL's lifting equipment store was in good order and through sampling the process of 'checking out' equipment it was clear robust measures were in place to ensure only adequate lifting equipment could be used by competent individuals. Spot checks on the forklift truck operatives confirmed competent people were operating the equipment and they were able to demonstrate that pre-use checks took place. A forklift truck was observed unoccupied with the keys still in the ignition. The operative was challenged and appropriate follow up action was taken.
Conclusion
EDF NGL were able to demonstrate they understood what met the requirement for an intermediate lift, how they are identified, and what was required for those lifts that are identified as intermediate. Through sampling lifting equipment on site the team were able to demonstrate that they had appropriate procedures in place to ensure that only equipment that had been subject to thorough examination could be used. These processes also only allowed competent people access to the lifting stores. EDF NGL have a competent LOLER advisor on site who was able to demonstrate the procedures that are in place and answer any questions confidently in relation to the processes.
Based on the sample interaction with staff I was able to confirm that the rigging store maintenance team leader has the competencies and resources to adequately manage the loan tool store. I was also able to confirm that a contractor had carried out their point of work risk assessment prior to carrying out a lifting operation and they were able to demonstrate they had done their pre-use checks on the fork-lift truck.
EDF NGL have arrangements in place to track and monitor category A defects of their lifting equipment. However there was no such system for the tracking of category B and category C defects. As such it was not clear whether defects had appropriately been rectified. The tracking of such defects would also allow station to trend where defects are arising. I have subsequently raised a Level 4 Regulatory Issue to track this follow up action.
Based on my sample, EDF have adequately adopted the relevant good practice within BS7121-1. No significant shortfalls in relation to lifting arrangements were identified. Therefore, in my judgement, in relation to LOLER a rating of green is appropriate