Date(s) of inspection
- June 2025
Executive summary
Aim of Inspection
EDF Nuclear Generation Limited (NGL) has commenced defueling of Dungeness B (DNB) nuclear power station following end of generation in 2021. The aim of this inspection was to examine implementation of fleetwide improvements in the management of organisational capability at DNB. These improvements were necessary for DNB to justify and maintain adequate organisational capability during defueling as per the requirements of LC36. In addition to organisational capability requirements, the inspection focused on implementation and effectiveness of DNB People strategy/plan which assists with the management and engagement of staff in support of the defueling mission of the station. LC36(1) requires the licensee to ‘provide and maintain adequate human resources to ensure the safe operation of the licensed site’. LC36(2) requires the licensee to 'make and implement adequate arrangements to control any change to its organisational structure or resources which may affect safety'.
Subject(s) of inspection
LC 36 - Organisational capability GREEN
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
We found that that:
DNB has adequately updated its 2018 Reference Nuclear Baseline into a site-specific nuclear baseline by suitably applying the management of change process, consolidating previous organisational changes and utilising this process for additional modifications to the Reference Nuclear Baseline as required. We provided advice on further improvements to the annual baseline statement report.
DNB is adequately justifying its nuclear baseline by considering a relevant range of performance indicators, such as HR metrics, organisational capability metrics, and business performance metrics.
DNB is adequately managing its organisational vulnerabilities and risks by keeping a satisfactory baseline resource position, adopting the revised fleet-wide Organisational Capability Risk Assessment (OCRA) tool, and enhancing governance and data-driven oversight of organisational capability.
There is good understanding and ownership of the nuclear baseline by the department team leads.
DNB's succession planning and use of Personal Development Plans was mature and went beyond EDF’s fleet requirements and we judged this to be a good practice.
We noted that whilst a site-specific review of post training profiles and role training profiles is in progress there is further work in this area to ensure that all posts have applicable training profiles. Whilst this has been self-identified by the station it is considered appropriate to raise a new level 4 regulatory issue to ensure adequate regulatory oversight.
DNB has a robust process for management of organisational change.
DNB has significantly improved their proactive management of organisational capability risks through the Resource Strategy and People Plan, which aims to support employee well-being during change and identify future opportunities for development.
In addition we identified a number of lower level areas for potential further improvement and these have communicated to the licensee.
Conclusion
Based on the judgments above, we have determined that Licence Condition 36 – Organisational Capability warrants a GREEN inspection rating.