Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: April 2024
Aim of inspection
This intervention was undertaken across the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Explosives Technology Centre (XTC) and aligns with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) 2024/25 integrated intervention strategy for the weapons sub-division.
The below key sub-division objective (KSO) and desired regulatory outcomes (DRO) are considered most relevant:
- KRO.5 - Provide assurance to our stakeholders that activities on site are planned and conducted safely in accordance with the appropriate legislative requirements and that all risks have been reduced to as low as reasonably practicable
- DRO.1 - Provide assurance to our stakeholders that hazardous activities on site are planned and conducted safely in accordance with the appropriate legislative requirements and that all risks, so far as reasonably practicable, have been reduced to as low as reasonably practicable
- 1.4 - Improvements in the planning, supervision and conduct of activities [including nuclear, conventional, construction, explosive and chemical]
The main focus of this inspection was to sample the adequacy of associated arrangements and their implementation to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable (SFAIRP), the safety of workers undertaking activities across XTC areas and facilities.
The main aims were as follows:
- Assess arrangements and their implementation to control hazardous activities, control of major accident hazards and control of substances hazardous to health
- Obtain evidence of adequate risk assessments and their implementation to control hazardous activities
Subject(s) of inspection
- Health & Safety at Work Act - Rating: Green
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The ONR inspection team attended the XTC, which is located on the AWE Aldermaston nuclear licensed site on the 9 April 2024 to undertake this themed inspection on conventional health and safety and fire safety. The inspection team comprised nuclear site health and safety specialist inspectors and the site inspector.
A number of documents were requested in advance of the inspection and these were received in a timely manner and were sampled as part of preparation activities. The inspection followed a high-level scope that had been proposed by ONR and shared with XTC in advance of the inspection.
The inspection targeted aspects of conventional health and safety and fire safety and sampled the adequacy of high-level and local arrangements and their implementation across various areas and facilities. A number of Observations were raised in relation to the following areas:
- the adequacy of Fire Risk Assessments and supporting documentation, including fire compartment drawings / fire precaution drawings
- improving clarity within local XTC arrangements in regard to Risk Level definition of activities and alignment with high-level arrangements for safely controlling works
- general housekeeping, ensuring availability of safety provisions and considering the location of COSHH cabinet and decanting stations
- ensuring the future changes to facility entry/exit take due cognisance of fire life safety aspects and ensure SFAIRP the safety of workers
- ensuring that spurious fire alarms and oxygen depletion alarms do not impact on reliability and/or undermine these safety provisions
Elements of good practice were identified as part of the inspection. For example, in regard to a sampled construction phase plan, operatives knowledge of fire evacuation processes, event reporting and follow-up and the implementation of control measures to prevent major accidents. Good openness and behaviours were demonstrated throughout.
Based on the areas sampled, no shortfalls were identified during the inspection of significant concern. Therefore, I rate the inspection as adequate green (No formal action).
Conclusion
Overall, I am content the dutyholder demonstrated an adequate understanding of its duties as required by HSWA 1974, RRO and Fire Safety Act 2021 and that arrangements to ensure compliance were suitable and sufficient and being implemented effectively. Areas for improvement were identified and these were provided to the dutyholder as Observations. Based on the areas sampled, no shortfalls were identified during the inspection of significant concern. Therefore, I rate the inspection as adequate green (No formal action). This rating is in line with the established ONR guidance as follows:
- relevant good practice generally met, or minor shortfalls identified, when compared with appropriate benchmarks
- no significant shortfalls identified in the delivery of safety, safeguards or security functions