Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: January 2025
Aim of inspection
This inspection at Sellafield Ltd will be undertaken as part of the planned Intervention Strategy for the Sellafield, Decommissioning, Fuel and Waste Division (SDFW) of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
The purpose of this intervention will be to inspect against compliance with the requirements of:
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO).
- Licence Condition 11:
In particular, Sellafield Limited’s arrangements for provision of necessary information and familiarisation to on site and Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services.
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM)
This intervention will focus on matters relating to life fire safety arrangements for the SRP construction project, arrangements to enable incident tactical planning and familiarisation for fire and rescue service responders and Construction health safety and welfare arrangements for the SRP construction project.
Subject(s) of inspection
- Construction Fire Safety - Rating: Green
- Fire (Life Safety) Compliance Inspection - Rating: Green
- Health & Safety at Work Act - Rating: Green
- LC11 - Emergency arrangements - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The purpose of this planned inspection was to enable inspection of the duty holder’s arrangements within the SRP construction area regarding legislative requirements of:
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- LC11 Emergency Arrangements: Limited to the collation, production, storage, dissemination and review of tactical / pre attack plans.
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
- The Health and Safety at Work Act
The inspection was carried out in 4 phases:
- Review of submitted requested documentation and information to establish targeted areas where further enquiries and inspection are required.
- A walk through of the SRP construction area including laydown areas, to ensure documented processes and controls are in place and effective.
- Supplementary document review and clarification of walk through identified matters.
- Meeting with Sellafield Fire and Rescue Service to review their arrangements / processes regarding tactical planning. In this instance referring to SRP Tactical Information Plans (TIPs) and Site Specific Risk Information(SSRIs).
Suitable arrangements are in place to continually review and update the CPP and communication between CDM dutyholders is well managed via the Aligned Delivery Team (ADT).
There is a positive health and safety culture on site which was demonstrated during conversations with the ADT and individual contractors on site. Contractors are complying with their duties to plan, manage and monitor the work under their control and good, ongoing communication with the principal contractor and principal designer were seen on site during the inspection.
Action is taken by the ADT to address incidents following reporting and ensure there is no repetition.
The principal contractor (PC) has duties under CDM 2015, Regulation 13(1) to manage and monitor the construction work being undertaken on site, which does not include detailed supervision of contractors but should include monitoring their working practices. Processes are in place to complete this however gaps in the monitoring process were identified and regulatory advice provided to the PC and contractors involved.