Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
- November 2024
Aim of inspection
The aim of this themed inspection is to evaluate the adequacy of the supply chain and quality management arrangements associated with Programme and Project Partners (PPP) Projects in design, procurement and construction. The proposed PPP projects to sample utilising the PPP model as agreed with the ONR Sellafield Operations inspectors and Sellafield Ltd. are the Site Ion Exchange Effluent Plant (SIXEP) Contingency Project (SCP), and the Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP) project.
Subject(s) of inspection
- CDM 15 (Client / PD / PC duties) - Rating: Not rated
- Health & Safety at Work Act, Section 6 (General duties of manufacturers) - Rating: Not rated
- LC6 - Documents, records, authorities and certificates - Rating: Green
- LC17 - Management systems - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The purpose of this inspection was to seek assurance that the SIXEP Contingency Project and the Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant Project has implemented adequate supply chain and quality management arrangements associated with design, procurement and construction, and to inform a regulatory judgement regarding the licensee’s compliance with relevant statutory provisions and good practice.
This included sampling the Sellafield Ltd., SRP and SCP supply chain and quality management arrangements to ensure the contract quality and relevant specification requirements are adequately cascaded and implemented.
Based on the discussions held and evidence sampled during the inspection, examples of good practice were identified.
The management of lifetime records (LTRs) associated with manufacturing and construction was considered positive. This included identification of gaps in the provision of LTRs, proposed actions and escalation routes which included senior leadership support.
The SRP and SCP lifetime record strategies require updating to reflect the current arrangements and approach for the provision and handover of records.
The SRP and SCP management of non-conformance in products and records requires improvement. This includes clarity in the arrangements and improved consideration of non-conformance aggregation, and where appropriate clear links to the relevant concession and design change processes. ONR regulatory issues are planned to be issued to seek the required improvements.
I am broadly content that the SRP Aligned Delivery Team (ADT) improvement plan actions are being managed appropriately, albeit the closure progress of some actions has been slower than expected.
I consider there are opportunities to exchange and share learning across both SCP and SRP in areas such as supply chain management, records management and non-conformance.
Conclusion
Overall, I have concluded that an inspection rating of Green, no formal action, is appropriate. I considered that relevant good practice was met with minor shortfalls identified, when compared to appropriate benchmarks.
I outlined ONR's intent to raise appropriate regulatory issues to capture the identified shortfalls relating to the management of non-conformance and to monitor licensee progress.
Sellafield Ltd. concurred with my findings and the overall RAG rating of this inspection, and considered the feedback provided was balanced.
I provided regulatory advice and guidance relating to identified areas for improvement, and I raised a number of observations for Sellafield Ltd. consideration which will be followed up via routine engagements.