Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
February 2026
Aim of inspection
The purpose of this inspection is to sample evidence supporting the compliance of Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) Chapelcross (CHX) with Licence Condition 28.
The purpose of the inspection is to determine whether Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) are performing suitable maintenance activities for safety structures, systems and components.
This inspection is also part of a themed corporate inspection into how the site is managing its decommissioning plan and the risk associated and whether suitable funding and management of these activities are provided. It will also consider the link to the fleetwide decommissioning plan.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC28 - Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing - Rating: Green
- LC35 - Decommissioning - Rating: Green
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
I carried out a themed inspection on maintenance arrangements and the decommissioning plan at the Chapelcross site. I examined the licensee's arrangements for LC28 and LC35 and was able to establish a “golden thread” to the management system for these arrangements. The inspection sample focussed on the Chapelcross Process Plant (CXPP), the Modular Intermediate Level Waste Encapsulation Plant (MILWEP) and the re-glazing and electrical work associated with the reactor buildings and incorporated a site walkover and visit with the contractor Altrad to the observe the re-glazing work.
I also undertook site induction training, met with the safety reps, and met with the Head of Radiation Protection to discuss evidence for closure of RI-12625 (recorded under that RI).
Conclusion
I considered applicable legislation and relevant good practices including, but not limited to, Licence Condition 28 and NS-INSP-GD-028 Examination, Inspection, Maintenance and Testing (EIMT) and Licence Condition 35 and NS-INSP-GD-035 Decommissioning.
Based on the evidence sampled during this inspection, I judged there were no significant compliance shortfalls in NRS's arrangements, and therefore I assigned a green inspection rating.