Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection
- August 2026
Aim of inspection
This themed inspection aimed to review the adequacy of the implementation of arrangements at site for working under a permit and what work can be carried out under other instructions.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC12 - Duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experienced persons - Rating: Green
- LC28 - Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing - Rating: Green
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
This themed inspection on the adequacy and effectiveness of the permit to work process was carried out by a team of Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) specialist nuclear safety inspectors, including the ONR nominated site inspector for Heysham 1 (HY1).
The following were sampled in relation to Licence Conditions (LC) 12 (DAPs and SQEPs), 26 (Control and supervision of operations) and parts of the Management of health and safety at work regulations pertaining to HSG 253 - The safe isolation of plant and equipment and HSG 250 - Guidance on permit to work systems:
- One work package, work area walk down and associated isolations.
- Setting to work.
- Permit to work processes and production.
- Training and SQEP arrangements.
Conclusion
During the inspection we did not identify any significant shortfalls in relation to the adequacy and application of the LC12 or LC26 arrangements sampled. We did provide several pieces of regulatory advice and raised a level 4 regulatory issue (RI); however, we did not consider that any of the associated issues posed a significant or immediate threat to nuclear safety. As a result we assigned an inspection rating of GREEN (no formal action) to each of these LCs. In addition, no significant shortfalls were found with respect to the HSG 253 and HSG 250 aspects of the Management of health and safety at work regulations at Heysham 1 during this visit.