Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection
- September 2026
Aim of inspection
To assess compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) with regard to dose management and dose restriction during the statutory outage.
Focussing on arrangements to demonstrate compliance with IRR17 regulations 8 (radiation risk assessment), 9 (restriction of exposure), and 13 (contingency plans), and observation of working practices within the radiologically controlled area (RCA) against company standards and relevant good practice (RGP).
Subject(s) of inspection
- IRR17 - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The inspection provided suitable time to discuss the EDF Heysham 2 statutory outage (S13 R8) ALARP report, examine documentation, undertake a plant walkdown and observe RCA exit procedures.
The focus of the inspection was on the management of dose exposures to workers during the outage to ensure they were restricted to as low as reasonably practicable as required by the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017.
Work is generally proceeding in line with outage plans. Task-level dose performance remains well controlled, supported by comprehensive tracking tools, real-time EPD monitoring, and active management oversight.
A plant walkdown provided the opportunity to observe work being undertaken. A small number of observations were made, which I will follow up during routine interactions with the site Head of Radiological Protection to understand how these have been addressed and captured in the post-outage review.
The observed radiological protection ALARP brief was thorough, interactive and clearly communicated expectations, including adherence to Radiological Work Permits, stop-work authority and dose control measures.
The intervention identified a sound radiological protection framework, with good evidence of ALARP planning, dose monitoring, contingency preparation and responsive operational learning.
Overall, radiological protection arrangements appeared well planned and generally well implemented.
Conclusion
The intervention identified a sound radiological protection framework, with good evidence of ALARP planning, dose monitoring, contingency preparation and responsive operational learning.
The most important opportunities are to improve consistent worker compliance at monitoring points, raise housekeeping and storage standards, strengthen item-status control, and ensure that learning is translated into demonstrable and sustained improvements.
Overall, radiological protection arrangements appeared well planned and generally well implemented.
Dose management was detailed, key higher-hazard activities were understood, temporary controlled areas were generally well managed, and there was evidence that operational experience was being captured and acted upon.
I judged that, on the basis of evidence sampled at the time of this inspection, compliance with those aspects of IRR17 reviewed was demonstrated, and that S13 R8 outage dose exposures are well controlled and demonstrated ALARP, and an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is appropriate.