Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection
- June 2026
Aim of inspection
To judge ETC's compliance against the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) relating to practice of Industrial Radiography. This inspection will provide evidence towards the assessment relating to the application for IRR17 Consent for carrying out the practice of Industrial Radiography on the Capenhurst Site (PR-02497).
Subject(s) of inspection
- IRR17 - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The inspection examined Enrichment Technology Company Ltd. (ETC) industrial radiography arrangements including safety systems, critical examination arrangements, radiation protection risk assessments, contingency arrangements, training, RPA/RPS arrangements in relation to compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations (2017). A walkdown of the facility was undertaken, documentation was reviewed, and discussions were held with representatives from ETC, Urenco UK (UUK) and the Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA).
Overall, the radiography cabinets appeared to be well-designed and conservatively configured, with fixed-operating parameters, engineered safety features, restricted key access and established maintenance arrangements supporting safe operation. The local rules, operator training programme and involvement of the RPA were generally positive, and good cooperation was observed between ETC and UUK personnel.
Some areas of non-compliance were identified which require rectification before consent can be granted. These include strengthening the Radiation Protection Risk Assessment, formalising emergency rehearsals, reviewing instrumentation arrangements and ensuring all RPS training is up-to-date. Longer term, evidence of the formalisation of cooperation arrangements between ETC and UUK in accordance with IRR17 Regulation 16 is required.
Subject to completion of the critical examinations and implementation of these improvements, I have no significant concerns to suggest that compliance with the IRR17 Regulations cannot be achieved before operations are resumed.
Conclusion
Based on the findings of the intervention, I judge the arrangements for industrial radiography, within the ETC facility to be adequate largely due to the engineered safety systems and highly-standardised procedures, subject to a number of actions to be completed before operations resume. I have therefore rated the inspection Green - Relevant good practice generally met, or minor shortfalls identified, when compared with appropriate benchmarks.