Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection
- December 2025
Aim of inspection
Assess compliance with LC11 arrangements through observation of Exercise Capricorn
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC11 - Emergency arrangements - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
ONR observed exercise ‘CAPRICORN’ at the EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd Hartlepool power station.
The exercise was nominated as the licensee’s level 1 emergency exercise, to demonstrate their arrangements for dealing with any accident or emergency arising on the site and their effects, in compliance with Licence Condition 11 – emergency arrangements.
The scenario simulated an off-site nuclear emergency and we were satisfied that it provided sufficient challenge for the licensee to demonstrate the implementation of their emergency arrangements.
The licensee broadly met their exercise objectives and the response successfully:
- Established emergency response organisation
- Completed a full site muster, accounting for all site personnel
- Responded to a fire and explosion
- Located, assessed and recovered casualties
- Managed a fatality
- Implemented repair of damaged plant
The licensee’s assessment of their performance was self-critical and identified positive observations and areas for improvement for each command centre and the response team. The licensee’s observations were consistent with those of ONR and the licensee’s Emergency Arrangements Review Team (EART).
We judged shortfalls in the licensee’s response in the following areas which we expect the licensee to address:
- Casualty handling
- Care of emergency equipment
- Integration with external medical emergency services
Conclusion
Although there were shortfalls, overall we judged the licensee's performance was adequate and awarded a GREEN (no formal action) inspection rating against licence condition 11 - emergency arrangements.