Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection
- October 2026
Aim of inspection
The aim of this inspection is to:
- Seek to understand how cultural factors affect safety performance at Dungeness;
- Provide a baseline of such cultural factors, and identify any relevant learning to support Dungeness in enhancing safety performance;
- Identify any specific safety topics related to culture that may benefit from further improvement to support broader legal compliance; and,
- Ensure our understanding of the adequacy of the Dungeness response to address culture related safety performance challenges for the future.
Subject(s) of inspection
- Leadership & Management for Safety - Rating: Not rated
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
An ONR inspection was undertaken to understand the safety culture at Dungeness A, and identify both strengths and areas for improvement. This was an unrated inspection focused on Leadership and Management for Safety.
The inspection found no significant safety culture concerns or "red flags". Employees and leaders were open, engaged, and supportive of safety improvement. A key observation was that while the site collects culture-related data, there is an opportunity to apply a more structured approach to using this information proactively to improve culture.
- No significant safety culture concerns were identified.
- Leadership and workforce engagement were perceived to be a strength.
- Positive indicators of openness, learning, and safety prioritisation were evident.
- Opportunities exist to make more proactive use of culture-related data and planning to support future safety culture improvement.
Conclusion
I conclude that safety culture at Dungeness A is broadly positive. However, upcoming work, such as the boilers down programme could introduce cultural challenges due to increased workforce numbers, varying levels of worker experience/SQEPness, and a changing profile of hazards. Proactive leadership attention will be important to manage these risks adequately.