The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

In the update below we give a summary of safety information that relates to the previous quarterly reporting period.

The NDA has made clear its absolute commitment to the highest standards for health and safety, security and protection of the environment and expects its contractors to deliver sustained excellence in Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental (HSSE) performance.

We give details on any reportable incidents and environmental impact that has occurred at an NDA site in the reporting period.

Further detail on reporting period

INES Events

Non reported in the period.

RIDDOR Events

RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995.  RIDDOR '95 requires the reporting of work-related accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences. It applies to all work activities, but not to all incidents.

LTA = Lost Time Accident; MI = Medical Intervention

Dounreay reported:

• swollen elbow after hitting it against a gantry while sweeping - >3 day LTA
• contractor was alighting from a vehicle when his foot slipped on ice resulting in a sprained ankle - >3 day LTA
• Shoulder injury caused by contractor closing handle on skip - handle was stiff and was yanked - >3 day LTA
• A finger injury required stitches when caught in sheet metal roller - MI.

Chapelcross reported:

• worker slipped on ice and broke his arm – Major Injury

Wylfa reported:

• operator fell 12ft off a ladder onto the pile cap fracturing his wrist and pelvis – Major Injury

Sellafield reported:

• whilst cleaning up grout  using a floor scraper in a tight space, the worker got pain in lower back and was subsequently off work - >7 days LTA
• pain in lower back when checking 20 steel brackets. Resulted in GP attendance and subsequent time off  -  >7 day LTA
• in adverse weather conditions a compound gate swung wide while being opened resulting in chipped bone in ankle –  Major Injury  

Environmental Events  

In period:

Sellafield reported:

• A fault on a valve in a neutralising pit at the Inactive Tank Farm allowed a leak of effluent to a surface water drain – CCS 4
• Non permitted discharge of glycol discharge via Lagoon- CCS level 4

Chapelcross reported:

• 450 gallons of water contaminated with tritium were discharged offsite via road drains as an unauthorised discharge route – 1 x CICS 4

LLWR reported:

• 2 historic Cat 4 non conformances identified. No warning letter issued; guidance only. One related to container condition and one related to errors in reporting waste figures - 2 x CCS 4 

Dounreay reported:

• a power dip across site caused a short term failure in Tritium Sampling System in a ventilation system (CCS level 4 (lowest))

Environmental performance objectives for the nuclear industry

In 2005 the Environment Agency developed a Nuclear Industry Sector Plan (NISP) in consultation with the nuclear industry itself. The NSIP sets out eight main environmental performance objectives and indicators for the nuclear industry. Some of these objectives are statutory responsibilities and others are voluntary activities. Participation by nuclear operators is on a voluntary basis.

The Environment Agency publishes Annual Performance Reports to indicate how nuclear operators have performed against these objectives.

• More information on Nuclear Industry Sector Plan and Annual Performance Reports (Environment Agency website)