The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

NDA Sites Monthly Performance Update

General Evaluation - Key Elements

• Programme Performance was in line with expectations at the end of June 2009.  
• Electricity generation for June and Year to Date 2009/10 was above target.

Year to Date Cost and Schedule Performance
At the end of June 2009, the programme delivered work for less than planned cost.  Measured against the year to date budget the programme of work at the end of June was in line with expectations.

Erned Value Performance Management.  Please note: We use Earned Value Performance Management to measure programme performance. This compares the budgeted cost of work that was scheduled with the budgeted cost of work that was actually performed to determine schedule performance and the budgeted cost  of work actually performed with its actual cost to determine cost performance.

Electricity generation at the fleet of Magnox nuclear reactors operated by the NDA was above target for June and Year to Date 2009/10.

 Items of Interest

Programme Items of Interest - Key Elements

• Extension of Electricity generation at Wylfa granted  
• 5000th container of high level waste vitrified at Sellafield

Wylfa Power Station, on Anglesey, North Wales, has been granted approval to continue generating electricity for at least another nine months past its planned closure date of March 2010 - until at least December 2010.  The Government's Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) gave its approval in June 2009 following work by the site contractor Magnox North Ltd to build a business case which supports maximising Wylfa's geberating life, while maintaining safety and operational performance.

A major milestone was reached at Sellafield on 3 June 2009 with the production of the 5000th container of high level solid waste being completed in the site's vitrification plant.  The vitrification plant is responsible for converting liquid High Level Waste (HLW) into a solid form by mixing it with glass. In a solid form, the waste can be stored safely and more suitably for eventual transport and storage. In addition, vitrification reduces the volume of liquid waste to one third of its original volume.

Safety and Environment Performance

Safety and Environment - Key Elements

• One INES event  
• Six RIDDOR event  
• Two environmental non compliances

Nuclear Safety

One events rated at Level 1 on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) has been reported as occurring at NDA sites during the month.  

At Sellafield a potential internal dose to an operator from contaminated wound.

Radiological Protection

The sites provide data on average individual dose, maximum individual dose and collective dose. These metrics are measured separately for SLC employees and for contractors. Dose figures are reported by calendar year rather than financial year and the following two graphs show average individual doses and maximum individual doses respectively (ordered by employee dose) for dosimeters worn by workers in calendar year 2008 and processed to date. Average individual doses and maximum individual doses should be compared with (and are all well below) the legal annual limit of 20 mSv.

Dosimetry is the measurement of absorbed dose in matter and tissue resulting from the exposure to ionizing radiations.

Industrial Health and Safety

Six events reportable under RIDDOR occurred in the month. All six events occurred at Sellafield.  

Three Lost Time Accidents (Two slips/trips and falls and one hand injury due to drill bit jamming causing the drill to kick)  

Two Dangerous Occurrences (small electrical fire and a lift motor drive failure)  

One Major Incident (trip & fall through stair handrail).

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.

Environmental Protection

Two environmental non-compliances have been reported in this period.  

At Sellafield two environmental events reported to the Environment Agency - both minor breaches of chemical discharge permit limit (for Nickel).  

An Environmental Non Compliance is a breach of a permit condition set by the Environment Agency or the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency that prevents or controls risk of pollution to the environment.  

Please note
We give the actual number of occurrences in each category. Not all sites employ the same number of people and/or undertake the same activities. This must be taken into account before comparisons between sites can be made.