Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
March 2026
Aim of inspection
The aim of the inspection is to test the licensee's arrangements for minimising the accumulation of radioactive waste generated on the site, and for recording the waste so accumulated.
The previous inspection, in May 2023 (IIS-51059), was rated Green, recognising the improvements made since the Amber rated April 2021 inspection. It was noted in May 2023 that worked remained ongoing regarding improvements to the radioactive waste arrangements (RI 8747 refers) and at the time there were no significant radioactive waste generating activities. The boat programmes have since commenced and RI 8747 has recently been closed, hence it is timely to undertake this inspection now.
The inspection will also consider progress towards timely development of successor radioactive waste management capabilities to replace the current ageing infrastructure to support the future mission at Devonport.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC32 - Accumulation of radioactive waste - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
This inspection examined compliance against Licence Condition 32 (Accumulation of radioactive waste), testing resilience of the system (plant, process, people) to increased generation of radioactive waste from multiple platforms being in dock and following closure of RI 8747 in November 2025.
DRDL demonstrated good overall control of radioactive waste accumulations; all areas visited were well managed with radioactive waste stored in designated areas and within the area activity and space constraints, and previously identified accumulations of legacy items have now been disposed of; I observed no instances of uncontrolled accumulation of radioactive waste. DRDL demonstrated improvements to its arrangements to support packaging of waste for disposal at earlier stages of its management on the site, reducing need for multiple processing steps and double handling. DRDL provided examples of successful waste-led project planning leading to minimisation of radioactive waste being generated. DRDL demonstrated effective means for recording waste accumulated on the site, notwithstanding minor discrepancies that were satisfactorily resolved during the inspection.
The RWM plant and systems have been subject to increased capital expenditure to bring the aged plant back to design intent as part of the sustainment programme which is delivering benefits of improved performance and availability. Although risks remain, these are now better understood and being managed in tandem with the future infrastructure work to deliver successor capabilities. Combined with the improved radioactive waste management performance through improved arrangements and organisational strengthening, DRDL is now better placed to more effectively plan its future infrastructure needs to allow efficient and timely delivery of capability improvements despite the increased demand on RWM since the previous inspection.
Conclusion
I judge that evidence gathered during the inspection provided good examples of alignment to RGP, with minimisation of the rate of generation and total quantity of radioactive waste accumulated, in accordance with the expectations for LC 32 compliance. I consider an inspection rating of Green (no formal action required) to be appropriate.