The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has issued an improvement notice to EDF following an incident at Hartlepool Nuclear Power Station when two employees came into contact with pressurised hydraulic oil.
On 9 November 2025, two EDF technicians were carrying out maintenance work when a joint on a system was disconnected that contained hydraulic oil under pressure which was then released.
Both employees attended hospital as a precautionary measure. There was no risk to nuclear safety, the public or the environment.
Mike Webb, ONR’s Joint Head of Safety Regulation for the Operating Reactors Sub-directorate, said: “Our enquiries found that EDF had failed to provide their employees with the required information to allow them to carry out their work safely.
“We will engage with EDF during the period of the improvement notice to ensure positive progress is made to address this shortfall.”
ONR issued the improvement notice under Licence Condition 28 (1), (6) & (8)).
EDF has until 17 April 2026 to comply with the improvement notice.