Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
September 2025
Aim of inspection
The purpose of this Inspection was to sample evidence of implementation of the Plutonium Technical Centre (PTC) arrangements for compliance with Licence Condition (LC) 22, in order to inform a regulatory judgement regarding the licensee’s compliance with its legal duties under the nuclear site licence.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC22 - Modification or experiment on existing plant - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
I targeted this ONR LC22 inspection on the adequacy of the implementation of the arrangements for control of modification to existing plant and considered, on the basis of my sample, whether the licensee is maintaining sufficient control of all modifications to those facilities in a manner proportionate to the risks posed by such changes.
I reviewed the systems in place to monitor the Asset Change Requests (ACRs) and was satisfied that the facility is maintaining an overview and managing the open ACRs. Additional I reviewed a selection of ACRs and was satisfied that PTC had followed the AWE procedures for categorisation, approval and completion of these ACRs. Overall, based on the evidence provided, I was content that PTC have suitable and sufficient governance processes in place to approve, monitor and control of their ACR processes.
I sampled the training records for an ACR Manager and an Asset Change Board Chair and was satisfied that these were complete and in date.
From the areas sampled, I provided some regulatory advice but did not identify any shortfalls in the implementation of the licensee’s arrangements which would necessitate a further inspection of LC22 earlier than currently planned.
Conclusion
Overall, based on the evidence provided during the inspection, I was content that PTC has adequate processes and people in place for the control of modifications on the plant.
Overall, based on the evidence sampled during the inspection, I judge that an inspection rating of Green (no formal regulatory action) is appropriate against Licence Condition 22.