The management at Sellafield, a nuclear waste site in Cumbria, has been criticised for failing to adhere to health and safety regulations.
- Two improvement notices were issued by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) due to non-compliance with hazardous substance handling norms.
- Sellafield’s lapses involved improper use and containment of nickel nitrate, posing potential health risks to employees.
- The ONR emphasised that while the failures did not endanger nuclear safety, operational procedures need urgent revision.
- Strict monitoring and deadlines have been established to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has documented serious lapses in the management of hazardous substances at the Sellafield site, leading to two improvement notices being served under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. These notices highlight the failure to adequately manage the risks associated with nickel nitrate, a chemical used in effluent treatment. While this substance is non-radioactive, improper handling and exposure could result in adverse health impacts for workers.
According to the ONR, Sellafield Limited’s shortcomings were particularly evident in their inability to contain nickel nitrate within designated areas. Contamination was noted outside of the designated glovebox environment, designed to safeguard workers from potential harm, due to poor design and maintenance. This oversight underscores a significant breach of protocols meant to ensure the safety and health of employees in hazardous work environments.
Ian Bramwell, a superintending inspector at ONR, stated, “We will closely monitor Sellafield Limited to ensure the identified shortfalls are addressed and will not hesitate to take further action to bring about improvements if we need to do so.” His comments reflect the seriousness with which the ONR views these regulatory breaches and its commitment to enforcing compliance.
The first improvement notice demands that Sellafield conduct a comprehensive and adequate risk assessment of the utilisation of nickel nitrate by the end of October 2024. The second notice requires the prevention, or where impractical, the controlled exposure of workers to this chemical by the end of March 2025. Until these conditions are met, stringent occupational hygiene controls will remain active, supervised by an occupational hygienist.
Sellafield faces a critical mandate to improve safety measures and meet regulatory standards within prescribed timelines.
