Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection
- June 2026
Aim of inspection
To judge the adequacy of Dounreay's response to Regulatory Issue, RI-12752 focussing on continued delivery of safety performance in line with routine regulatory attention. This inspection is the first of these inspections targeting the safety leadership and culture attributes from our guidance on the Assignment of Dutyholder Attention Levels, ONR-GEN-GD-013. It will sample Dounreay's progress on the observations and advice provided during the previous L4 meetings.
Subject(s) of inspection
- Health & Safety at Work Act - Rating: Green
- LC36 - Organisational capability - Rating: Green
- Leadership & Management for Safety - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
This was a compliance inspection against LC36 – Organisational Capability, and a review of NRS Dounreay (NRS-D) progress on their route to routine regulatory attention for safety, with specific consideration of progress linked to leadership and governance.
I judge that site is making some progress in terms of their safety priority improvement/action plan (SPAP). In addition to this, I have made a number of observations related to minor shortfalls with RGP linked to LC36 compliance. I rate the inspection GREEN. As I have identified some minor shortfalls, that have been accepted by the dutyholder, I will seek improvement as an agenda item in the routine L4 engagements with NSR-D.
Conclusion
Based on the evidence provided by NRS Dounreay, I rate the inspection GREEN. However, I also recognise that the volume of change (cumulative change), as well as future changes (e.g. planned retirements, foreseeable SAP challenges etc.) may impact on NRS-D being able to maintain a safe and secure site. I therefore require NRS-D to provide further assurances that the current shortfalls and ongoing capability risks (e.g. backfilling) are adequately managed. I will follow up all observations and advice via upcoming routine engagements.