Springfields
Springfields Fuels Ltd Site Stakeholder Group Meeting
Minutes of the 20th Springfields Fuels Ltd Site Stakeholder Group meeting, held at Ashton &
Lea Golf Club, on Wednesday 19 November 2014, starting at 1330hrs.
Present:
Westinghouse Springfields Members:
Mr D Peacock, Environment, Health, Safety & Quality Director (EHS&Q)
Mr S Whitehead, Community Relations (Representing Mr N Jones)
Mrs S Dalby, SSG Secretary
External Members:
Cllr P Artis, Lancashire Association of Local Councils
Mr Mike Baggs, Environment Agency
Cllr R Boswell, Preston City Council
Mrs Paula Bull, Lancashire County Council
C Cllr C Crompton, Lancashire County Council
Mr D Daniels, Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)
Mr W Dennison, F2 Chemicals Ltd
Cllr K Ellard, Lancashire County Council
Mr Richard Fensom, INS
Cllr M Gardner, South Ribble Borough Council
Mr Chris Hodson, Preston City Council
Mr Sam Hounslow, NDA
Mr Roy Payne, Radioactive Waste Management
C Cllr P Rigby, Lancashire County Council
Miss J Skinner, Central Lancashire Friends of the Earth
Mr N Taylor, Lancashire Fire & Rescue
Mr D Walker, South Ribble Borough Council
Mr B Whittle, SSG Chairman
Mrs P Winlow, Newton Parish Council
Mr M Yates, Preston City Council
1.
Welcome and opening remarks by Chairman
The Chairman opened the meeting by thanking those who were in attendance, and
welcoming new members, Mr Neil Taylor from Lancashire Fire and Rescue, Mr Sam
Hounslow from NDA and Mrs Steph Dalby from Springfields Community Relations.
No names had been put forward for Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Springfields
Site Stakeholder Group. It was agreed by the members that Mr B Whittle and Ms J
Ashley would continue as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively.
Mr M Gornall had sent his apologies and Mr D Peacock would be presenting the Springfields
Business Report.
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2.
Apologies
Apologies were received from the following:
Mr D Elliott, F2 Chemicals
Mr M Gornall, Springfields Fuels Ltd – represented by Mr D Peacock
Mr Colin Hardman, Environment Agency – represented by Mr M Baggs
Mr D Holohan, Employee Representative, Springfields Fuels Ltd
Mr N Jones, Springfields Fuels Ltd
Mr C Thomas, Food Standards Agency
Cllr T Threlfall, Fylde Borough Council
Mr D Unsworth, Westinghouse
3. Minutes of the last meeting of the Springfields SSG
Mr D Peacock had a minor comment regarding the minutes of the last meeting, at the top of
page 3 it should read “Mr D Peacock outlined the importance of safety and quality remaining at
the forefront of everyone’s mind as the Hex business approaches the end of production in
August.”
4. Matters arising (that will not be covered by the agenda)
None
5. Presentation by Radioactive Waste Management Ltd (Mr R Payne)
Mr R Payne gave a presentation on the implementing of geological disposal for medium active
wastes, a copy of which is available with the reports issued for the meeting. Mr Payne told the
meeting that they could keep up to date with the process by going to
www.nda.gov.uk/rwm/subscribe.
Comments and Questions from Members
Mr B Whittle commented that the establishment of a nuclear safety case for geological
disposal is important and that we will have the experience from other countries
undertaking this type of disposal once it gets underway. The process needs to be
transparent.
Mr Payne replied that Radioactive Waste Management Ltd was very much into community
engagement and developing partnerships. The process will be totally inclusive, it is all about
what the community wants for the next 5 to 100 years.
Mr D Peacock commented that Springfields’ disposals (going to landfill) are very low in activity.
In 2010 SSG supported the proposal for an on-site facility at Springfields. This is consistent
with LLancashire County Council’s (LCC) Waste and Minerals Strategy and remains part of
the site’s future strategy.
Mr B Whittle explained that Springfields is at the lowest level of radioactivity on
disposals.
Miss J Skinner commented that geological disposal is a complex issue.
In respect of geological disposal, Mrs P Winlow asked how much additional waste will
there be?
Mr Payne replied that the facility will be designed to take 650,000m3 of waste, it is intended
that the facility will take all the known high level waste, plus waste from the new generation of
reactors to be built in the UK.
6.
Business Report (Mr D Peacock)
The full report was issued separately prior to the meeting and is available on the Springfields
website (www.springfieldsfuels.com).
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Mr D Peacock highlighted the main points from the business report. Springfields presently
has worked over 2,000,000 hours without a lost time injury and have only recorded four minor
injuries this year. RoSPA have recognised our site’s safety record of winning a major award
for 14 consecutive years. Springfields is regarded as one of the very best environmental
performers from Toshiba’s perspective.
The Level 1 Security Exercise in May was recorded as Adequate by Office for Nuclear
Regulation (ONR), Mr Peacock explained that this in fact means satisfactory.
Operation of Hex Plant ceased at the end of August and Post Operation Clean Out is
underway. By March next year we expect to be in a care and maintenance phase ready to
restart operations when the market is right.
Advanced Gas Cooled (AGR) and Light Water Reactor (LWR) fuel production is on plan. We
have been producing LWR fuel for the last 18 months for the French, which is underpinning
our ability to fuel the new AP1000 reactors. Springfields will be the supplier of choice for any
new UK AP1000 reactors.
The affected obsolete hex cylinders have now been moved from the raft to internal storage,
these cylinders were from the 1960s.
With regard to employee numbers, our workforce has reduced by around 100 people in a
very controlled manner through the voluntary severance process, however, we are keeping
the skills within the business to enable us to re-enter the Hex business in years to come. We
are working very hard to fill a tail-off of business in 3 years’ time up until AP1000 demand
cuts in and continue to pursue opportunities to return to the Hex market in four years.
7.
Environment, Health & Safety Report (Mr D Peacock)
The full report was issued separately prior to the meeting and is available on the Springfields
website (www.springfieldsfuels.com).
Mr D Peacock said that, irrespective of Springfields excellent safety performance,
Westinghouse remain a very internally challenging organization and strive for continued
improvements. We are happy with our radiological performance and doses received by
employees continue to be very low, with work being done to lower these even further.
Comments and Questions from Members
Mr B Whittle commented that the Toshiba environmental award is very prestigious. It is
very reassuring and is borne out by the Inspector’s report.
Miss J Skinner asked for clarification of paragraph 3 on page 8 of the report regarding
Harwell systems and would like more clarity in future on technical terms used in the
reports.
Mr D Peacock explained that Harwell systems are used to monitor the amount of radioactivity
in air around the plant.
Cllr M Gardner asked about item 1.6 in the Business Report regarding a leak from the
Site foul drain.
Mr D Peacock explained that the leak was from the site foul drain (ex toilets). At Springfields
we have separate drainage systems for toxic material that are treated before leaving site.
8.
Socio-Economic Report (Mr S Whitehead)
The full report was issued separately prior to the meeting and is available on the Springfields
website (www.springfieldsfuels.com).
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Mr S Whitehead showed the new Springfields site DVD and highlighted that new brochures
are now available. Should anyone wish to have copies of the new brochures they should
contact Mrs S Dalby (dalbysa@westinghouse.com).
Comments and Questions from Members
None.
9. Report from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) (Mr S Hounslow)
Mr S Hounslow reported that the NDA have two contracts with Springfields, one for residue
recovery and the other for decommissioning. For uranium recovery all targets have been
met. Decommissioning activities have been funded to the value of £6 million. The NDA has
£30m for research and development available this year and companies can apply to the NDA
for funding.
Comments and Questions from Members
None
10. Report from the Site Inspector, Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) (Dave Daniels)
The previous reports have been issued prior to the meeting and are available on the
Springfields website (www.westinghousenuclear.com/springfields) and (www.onr.org.uk)
Mr D Daniels gave an overview of his report and offered to respond to any questions from
the group. He explained that following the establishment of the Office for Nuclear Regulation
(ONR), as a statutory corporation on 1 April, there was closer working between the various
component parts of ONR. One example of more efficient working is that instead of ONR
Nuclear Safety and ON Civil Nuclear Security observing separate emergency exercises at
Springfields, a single combined exercise was agreed and then observed by both parties.
Comments and Questions from Members
Miss J Skinner had asked earlier in the meeting about “interventions”.
Mr D Daniels explained that ONR uses the term “intervention” to cover ONR inspection and
assessment of Springfields Fuels Ltd. Essentially, in this context, an “intervention” meant a
“site inspection”.
Mr B Whittle asked for clarification on the change to Licence Condition 3 on 1 October.
Mr D Daniels explained that Licence Condition 3 previously required all property transactions
on the licensed site to receive a formal written “Consent” from ONR. Following the change to
Licence Condition 3, the licensee would now categorise the safety significance of the property
transaction and now only needed formal written “Consent” from ONR to the higher safety
significant property transactions. For example, Springfields issued a lease to the National
Nuclear Laboratory, which processes uranic materials and would continue to require ONR
“Consent”. Springfields also leased offices to Westinghouse, where no nuclear activities took
place, so this would no longer require ONR “Consent”. The change would therefore lead to
more efficient use of both the licensee’s and ONR’s time.
C Cllr P Rigby asked how many containers (obsolete hex) are stored on site?
Mr D Peacock explained that all have been brought inside and the leaking cylinders have
been washed. Mr Daniels commented that he was content that the cylinders had been
brought inside and that the two leaking cylinders had been washed out already, with the
cleaning out of the remaining cylinders of this type progressing steadily to an acceptable
programme for the regulators.
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Mrs P Winlow asked why containers were kept outside?
Mr D Peacock explained that these obsolete containers had been nominally emptied many
years ago leaving residual contents of a few kg’s. Due to the low potential consequence,
external storage is low risk. Work was already underway to decommission these cylinders
when the previously reported minor leaks occurred.
11. Report from the Site Inspector, Environment Agency (EA) (Mr M Baggs)
The full report was issued separately prior to the meeting and is available on the Springfields
website (www.springfieldsfuels.com).
Mr M Baggs commented that SFL had made good progress in the post operational clean out
following the closure of the Hex and Kiln plants at the end of August.
Mr M Baggs highlighted that the EA had challenged SFL regarding their ability to maintain
environmental permit compliance following loss of key staff to NuGEN. A satisfactory response
was received.
Comments and Questions from Members
Mr B Whittle commented that transfer of Springfields staff to NuGEN can only be a good thing.
Mr D Peacock commented that Springfields carry out succession planning every year so that
we are not in the position of having insufficient qualified and experienced staff in each area.
12.
Off-site Emergency Planning (Mrs Paula Bull)
The full report was issued separately prior to the meeting and is available on the Springfields
website (www.westinghousenuclear.com/springfields).
Mrs P Bull highlighted that training assessments which have been carried out at Hutton are
now done on site. The Off Site Plan has been reviewed and much work carried out with the
off-site agencies to improve the plan. It is a three year requirement that we test the plan and
the next exercise to do this will be Heron 6, taking place on 14 October 2015. Work on
planning this exercise will begin in December.
Comments and Questions from Members
None
13.
Report by Westinghouse (Mr D Unsworth)
None received.
14. Questions from members of the public/media
None.
15. Open Forum (Mr B Whittle)
None
16. Any other business
Mr W Denison from F2 Chemicals Ltd presented a summary report, a copy of which is
attached to these minutes. There were no follow up questions.
Mr D Peacock showed a copy of the 2015 Emergency Planning Calendar which is issued to
near neighbours of Springfields. This calendar shows when off-site siren tests will take place
and also gives instructions on what actions need to be taken in an emergency. The issue of
the 2015 calendar was endorsed by the meeting.
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17. Dates of the next SSG meeting:
The next full meeting is scheduled for Monday 13 April 2015, at 12.45pm and will be held in the
Visitors’ Centre at Springfields.
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F2 Chemicals Ltd
Summary Report SSSG
2014 is forecast to be another good year for the Company. Annual sales are predicted
to be circa £7,000k up from the value of £6,344k in 2013. Profits before interest, tax
and pension scheme actuarial adjustments are expected to be circa £1,000k. (2013
£1,045k and 2012 £945k).
Exports remain high at 85% of sales (2013 84%).
Budget for 2015 is showing similar sales to 2014 and profits before interest, tax and
pension scheme actuarial adjustments are expected to be £1,050k. The budget
includes about £3m of capex for new plant and for the upgrading of existing equipment
and buildings.
Customer base remains diverse with a significant number of “blue chip” companies.
The workforce has grown slightly from 40 at the last meeting to 42 with the addition of
two craft apprentices, one of which is being trained by SFL.
A toxic release exercise was conducted on 16 December 2014, this involved SFL and
Lancashire County Fire & Rescue. The purpose of the exercise was to test
communications between the companies. The exercise was observed by
representatives of the HSE and EA.
Bill Denison
19/11/14
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Glossary and Abbreviations
AHF
Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid
ALARA
As Low As Reasonably Achievable
ALARP
As Low As Reasonably Practicable
AGR
Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor
AUAM
Advance Uranium Asset Management
Cogent
The sector Skills Council for the Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals,
Nuclear, Polymers, Petroleum and Oil & Gas industries
COMAH
Control of Major Accident Hazards
COSHH
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
Customer 1st
A Westinghouse internal company initiative
intended to improve all-round company
performance.
CR
Community Relations
}
These classifications
refer to accidents
causing an individual to
require time away from
work of more than 3
days and 1 day
respectively
LTA
OSHA DAC
Lost Time Accident
Occupational Safety & Health
Administration (US) Day Away
Case
LWR
Light Water Reactor
Hex
HR
Milli sievert
& microsievert
Uranium Hexafluoride (UF6)
Human Resources
These are units of measurement for radiation dose to individuals.
NDA
1 Sievert (Sv )
=
1000 Millisievert (mSv)
1 Millisievert (mSv) =1000 Microsievert (Sv)
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
NNL
National Nuclear Laboratory
NSAN
National Skills Academy Nuclear
NSG
National Stakeholder Group (Facilitated by the NDA, as an interface
between local, national and international stakeholders)
ONR
REPPIR
Office for Nuclear Regulation
Radiation Emergency Preparedness Public Information Regulations
RIDDOR
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
RoSPA
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
TRIR
Total Recordable Incidence Rate
UAM
Uranium Asset Management
WEC UK
Westinghouse Electric Company UK Ltd
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