Burghfield AWE out of 'enhanced regulatory attention' after improvements

AWE in Burghfield has returned to routine regulatory attention after making significant safety improvements.

The establishment is regulated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and has been in “enhanced regulatory attention” for approximately eight years due to safety and cultural performance issues.

The ONR, the UK’s independent nuclear industry regulator, has recently carried out numerous interventions at the site which provided its inspection team with evidence of a period of sustained and safe operations, with the Burghfield leadership team showing a proactive approach to safety management and culture.

The regulator has now taken it, and EDF’s Dungeness B site in Kent, out of the special measures.

Mike Finnerty, ONR’s operating facilities director, said: “Over a number of years we have worked very closely with both AWE and EDF through our enabling approach to ensure that the safety improvements required at both sites have been delivered.

“I’m satisfied that both sites have demonstrated evidence of significant and sustained safety improvements which has allowed us to return them to routine regulatory attention.”

Andy Scargill, AWE’s executive director for environment, safety, health and quality, said: “We are delighted that the ONR has announced that AWE’s Burghfield site has moved from enhanced to routine regulatory attention.

"This acknowledges the commitment shown by AWE’s leadership team, all our staff, Trade Unions and contractors to sustained and significant safety improvement and further demonstrates our proactive approach to safety management and culture.”

AWE’s Aldermaston site has also made some progress, but improvement is still needed in some areas, with consideration for a move to routine attention not anticipated by the ONR before the end of 2022 at the earliest.

This is in line with regulatory expectations due to the type of operations, age of facilities and comparative size and complexity of the two sites.

Mr Scargill added: “While progress has been made at the Aldermaston site, we recognise that there’s still more to be done here and we will continue to work collaboratively and tirelessly to achieve similar standards.”