Nuclear regulator considers action over Sellafield plutonium error

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 06:19 · Archive

Britain's nuclear regulator is considering further action after Sellafield transported plutonium oxide to the wrong facility in unsuitable packaging.

On 27 February, Sellafield transported a consignment of plutonium oxide to a National Nuclear Laboratory facility in Workington rather than its intended destination at Sellafield. The radioactive material was in an unsuitable package. The consignment was accepted at the Workington facility before the mistake was identified, recovered and returned to Sellafield. The company notified the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) on 3 March of a potential breach of regulations governing the transportation of radioactive material.

Following the incident, Sellafield suspended plutonium oxide movements from the facility and introduced enhanced interim transport controls. It launched an internal investigation and reviewed whether similar problems could arise elsewhere across its operations. ONR was satisfied with these initial measures. Sellafield submitted its findings on 14 July, with the incident classified as Level 1 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, denoting an anomaly.

However, ONR subsequently identified shortcomings in Sellafield's internal investigation, particularly regarding its consideration of potential consequences, risks, causes and corrective actions. The regulator also highlighted weaknesses in the company's organisational learning from previous transport-related events. ONR said it was taking the failings seriously and was considering whether further regulatory action was needed. No further enforcement action has been announced.

How it is being reported

• Nuclear watchdog considers further action over Sellafield plutonium blunderThe nuclear regulator is considering further action against Sellafield after plutonium oxide was transported to the wrong facility in unsuitable packaging.News & Star · 20 Oct, 05:00
• Nuclear watchdog considers further action over Sellafield plutonium blunderThe nuclear regulator is considering further action against Sellafield after plutonium oxide was transported to the wrong facility in unsuitable packaging.Whitehaven News · 20 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Sellafield · Office for Nuclear Regulation · National Nuclear Laboratory · Workington

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