Nuclear Safety Audits

During 2006 a comprehensive programme of audits was completed spanning a wide range of nuclear and radiological activities on the site.  The audit activity is conducted by an experienced team and seeks to establish our level of compliance with the conditions of the Nuclear Site Licence, and those Regulations that govern the nuclear and radiological activity on site.

Those issues that arise from the audit programme are recorded formally and an aggressive approach has been adopted in pursuing shortfalls.  The same approach is used effectively to track and correct findings from Regulator inspections and internal investigations, and there has been a significant improvement in the management, control and delivery of outstanding actions.

2007 will see the consolidation and strengthening of the Nuclear Assurance Group.  A more formal and detailed approach to education and training will also be established with the aim of improving the competence and technical confidence of employees across the whole range of nuclear and radiological activity.  

Radiological Safety Audits

In addition to nuclear safety audits, 6 radiological safety audits were completed, and covered a range of activities. Three audits were carried out on the control of radioactive material, and audits were carried out on the Controlled Area Schedule, diving operations, and arrangements for decontamination of personnel. A total of 6 Non Conformance Reports (NCRs) were raised, and 37 Observations made on how processes/arrangements could be improved. All NCRs have been closed out. The majority of audits were carried out against DML’s Radiation Safety Standard.

Operating Experience Feedback

Operating Experience Feedback (OEF) is the process of recording and investigating events to determine the root cause, and to apply the lessons learned to prevent recurrence.
The lessons learned from an event in one area of the site may be of value in other areas, as may lessons from events on other sites, both in the UK, and elsewhere.
A good safety culture sees all events, no matter how trivial, as an opportunity to learn and prevent similar or more significant events happening in the future. This plus the ease of event reporting encourages more events to be reported. Lessons Learned Bulletins, posters and Newsheets keep the workforce aware of the types of things that can and do go wrong so that they are more conscious about preventing recurrence.

All events are reported to the appropriate manager and followed through by the OEF team to ensure satisfactory close-out. This close-out can involve local actions being introduced or, where it is recognised that there is potential for improvements across the company, corporate initiatives being introduced.

DML has strong links with other nuclear operators to exchange information on OEF processes and the lessons learnt from events. DML is a member of two Operating Experience and Learning Group Fora, one centring on civilian nuclear operators and one centring on operators, builders and maintainers of the nuclear submarine fleet, which is attended by most nuclear operators in the UK.