Safety incidents revealed at nuclear site Sellafield

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 8 Nov, 06:07 · Archive

The Office for Nuclear Regulation has published a report detailing multiple safety incidents at Sellafield, including an emergency evacuation after equipment failure.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation has published a safety report covering Sellafield for the period between April and September 2026, detailing multiple incidents and near misses at the nuclear site.

In September, workers carried out an emergency evacuation after a mobile breathing-air compressor failed during work involving an air-fed suit entry, and the backup air supply also failed. Subsequent monitoring identified no contamination of the operatives. Sellafield Ltd suspended the use of mobile breathing-air compressors while investigating the failures.

Other incidents included lead shielding blocks falling approximately six metres at the Highly Active Liquor Evaporation and Storage facility in June after a retaining bracket failed. The ONR described this as a 'significant conventional safety near miss', noting there was 'a credible potential for serious injury to workers' despite no injuries or radiological consequences occurring. An enforcement letter was issued. A can containing special nuclear material was also found damaged during retrieval operations in September. A steel crane rope fell from height near workers during the period covered by the report.

How it is being reported

• Workers evacuated as series of safety incidents revealed at nuclear siteNuclear regulators reveal a series of safety incidents at Sellafield, including an emergency evacuation, falling shielding blocks and damaged nuclear material.Westmorland Gazette · 8 Nov, 05:00
• Workers evacuated as series of safety incidents revealed at nuclear siteNuclear regulators reveal a series of safety incidents at Sellafield, including an emergency evacuation, falling shielding blocks and damaged nuclear material.NW Evening Mail · 8 Nov, 05:00
• Workers evacuated as series of safety incidents revealed at nuclear siteNuclear regulators reveal a series of safety incidents at Sellafield, including an emergency evacuation, falling shielding blocks and damaged nuclear material.Cumberland News · 8 Nov, 05:00
• Workers evacuated as series of safety incidents revealed at nuclear siteNuclear regulators reveal a series of safety incidents at Sellafield, including an emergency evacuation, falling shielding blocks and damaged nuclear material.Whitehaven News · 8 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Sellafield · Office for Nuclear Regulation · Sellafield Ltd

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