Skip to content

Sellafield - Inspection ID: 54109

Executive summary

Date(s) of inspection: 

June 2025

Aim of inspection

The aim of this inspection is to gain assurance that the Floc Retrieval Plant (B241) is compliant with Sellafield’s arrangements for Licence Condition 10 (Training), Licence Condition 12 (Duly Authorised and Other Suitably Qualified and Experienced Persons) and Licence Condition 36 (Organisational Capability).

Subject(s) of inspection

  • LC10 - Training - Rating: Amber
  • LC12 - Duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experienced persons - Rating: Amber
  • LC36 - Organisational capability - Rating: Amber

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

I, the Site Inspector for the Low Active Effluent Management Group at the Sellafield Site in Cumbria, supported by Human Factors and Leadership and Management for Safety specialist inspectors undertook a licence condition inspection with a focus on the forthcoming re-suspension activity at the Sellafield Site. The inspection covered LC10, LC12 and LC36. I found that there was a shortfall in the arrangements for establishing the roles and responsibilities of workers at B241, concerns relating to a lack of SQEP resource and succession planning which had been raised previously had not been adequately addressed,  an absence in the arrangements for management at B241 and a lack of a questioning attitude with a leak that was observed at PS2. Furthermore, there was a general inability to provide evidence that the management and operations at B241 were understood or controlled by Sellafield Ltd., and that current workers were SQEP.  The inspection covered three relevant licence conditions, and I rated each of them Amber (significant shortfalls in arrangements and evidence that B241 meets Sellafield's arrangements for understanding management and operations at the facility)

Conclusion

I am of the opinion that LAEMG has not adequately implemented the safety case at B241 with respect to LC10, LC12 and LC36. I identified significant shortfalls, and consulted ONR's enforcement management model. I have produced an EDR (CM9 2025/25811) which has resulted in the raising of an enforcement letter and a Level 3 Regulatory Issue.  I have therefore awarded an Amber rating for each of the LCs. I have raised one Level 3 Regulatory Issue in relation to the need to bring B241 back into compliance with Sellafield Ltd's arrangements for LC10, LC12 and LC36.

Is this page useful?