Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: January 2025
Aim of inspection
The LC7, LC23, LC24 inspection formed part of ONR’s integrated inspection (IIS) plan. The focus is on recent incidents on station that relate to TechSpecs, SOIs and PIOIs. This inspection aimed to review the events, and the subsequent causal analysis of the events, to ensure that the risk of reoccurrence of events has been adequately minimised.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC7 - Incidents on the site - Rating: Green
- LC23 - Operating rules - Rating: Green
- LC24 - Operating instructions - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
ONR inspection team assessed the compliance with Licence Condition 7 (Incidents on the site), 23 (Operating rules) and 24 (Operating instructions) at the EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd. (NGL) Torness power station.
The inspection focused on recent incidents on station that relate to technical specification, station operating instructions and plant item operating instruction. ONR reviewed how the station implemented arrangements for notifying, recording, investigating, and reporting incidents. The aim was to assess event analysis and corrective actions to ensure adequate management of recurrence risks.
NGL provided an overview of each incident, including the timeline, involved personnel, actions taken, category management, identified causes (apparent, root and contributory) and associated corrective actions and if relevant, the closure of the actions.
Discussions were held with relevant staff, including those involved with the incidents and those responsible for investigations and organisational learning. ONR also visited the simulator to walk through control room actions using operator procedures ad relevant interfaces.
Based on the areas sampled, no shortfalls were identified for Licence conditions 23 and 24 (Green).
Shortfalls were found in the implementation of Licence Condition 7 arrangements. ONR’s sample showed that the direct, root or contributory causes were not clearly articulated in investigation reports, and there was insufficient justification for changes in investigation priorities or decisions not to proceed with investigations.
Licence Condition 7 was rated Green with one Level 4 Regulatory Issue (RI – 12390) raised to track the identified shortfalls.
Conclusion
Based on the areas sampled, no shortfalls were identified for Licence conditions 23 and 24, therefore, a rating of Green has been assigned.
Shortfalls were found in the implementation of Licence Condition 7 arrangements. ONR’s sample showed that the direct, root or contributory causes were not clearly articulated in investigation reports, and there was insufficient justification for changes in investigation priorities or decisions not to proceed with investigations.
Licence Condition 7 was rated Green with one Level 4 Regulatory Issue (RI – 12390) raised to track the identified shortfalls.