The notice was served after DRDL failed to carry out scheduled maintenance tests on an effluent extraction system that is used to support maintenance and repair activities within the licensed site. Under our licence conditions, nuclear sites are required to carry out maintenance on equipment within a specified plant maintenance schedule.
While there was no immediate risk to worker or public safety as a result of this issue, ONR had previously raised regulatory concerns around maintenance on the site and judged that insufficient progress has been made in this area.
ONR said: “We have judged that DRDL is able to operate safely and that additional time to demonstrate the required improvements will not pose a risk to safety. Noting the significant progress in meeting the requirements of the Improvement Notice made by DRDL, we have agreed to a four week extension to allow the licensee to demonstrate sustainable improvements. We will continue to monitor the progress made and will hold DRDL to account to ensure full compliance.”
DRDL must now comply with the improvement notice by 28 September 2021.
Devonport is run by Babcock International.