Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: July 2024
Aim of inspection
The purpose of this inspection was to review DRDL progress with implementing and embedding revised Control of Work (CoW) arrangements across the Devonport site following compliance with improvement notice (IN) ONR-IN 21-003. This inspection allowed ONR to provide feedback on DRDL’s progress with implementation and to make a judgement on whether DRDL had met the expectations of Regulatory Issue 10630. This intervention reviewed progress with implementation of revised control of work arrangements covering high-hazard activities across specific areas of the Devonport site.
Subject(s) of inspection
- Health & Safety at Work Act - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The purpose of this inspection was to judge Devonport Royal Dockyards Ltd (DRDL) compliance with the expectations of regulatory issue 10630 which required implementation of improvements to control of work arrangements for high hazard activities across the site. This inspection reviewed DRDL progress with implementation of revised control of work arrangements in specific business units following compliance with Improvement Notice ONR-IN-21-003.
The inspection focussed on major infrastructure projects and the submarine refit complex areas of the licensed site and was carried out over two days from 3 to 4 July 2024. The inspection involved DRDL personnel responsible for ensuring high hazard work activities are completed safely in accordance with revised control of work arrangements and used practical demonstrations and sampling of these arrangement to make a compliance judgement.
There were some minor observations and actions raised during the inspection which DRDL undertook to respond to or address.
There were some deviations to the revised control of work arrangements raised by DRDL. It was judged that the deviations were not significant in nature or meant that DRDL were not in compliance with the expectations of regulatory issue 10630.
From the discussions, demonstrations and procedures sampled in relation to meeting the expectations of regulatory issue 10630 for control of work, I judge that DRDL has demonstrated suitable and sufficient evidence to support recommending closure of the regulatory issue.
ONR do not plan to specifically monitor the embedding of the revised control of work arrangements. If there is an increase in the number of control of work events reported by DRDL, this approach may reviewed.
Conclusion
From the discussions, demonstrations and procedures sampled in relation to meeting the expectations of RI 10630 for CoW across the DRDL site, I judge that DRDL has demonstrated suitable and sufficient evidence to support recommending closure of the issue.
ONR do not plan to specifically monitor the embedding of the revised control of work arrangements. If there is an increase in the number of control of work events reported by DRDL, this approach may be reviewed.