The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is has announced that Devonport Royal Dockyard Limited (DRDL) has returned to routine regulatory attention following improvements in safety performance.聽
For the past 12 years DRDL and the Plymouth site have been effectively in special measures because of safety shortcomings in its construction and maintenance activities.
However, after a period of sustained safety improvements following the increased regulatory focus, ONR has taken DRDL out of what it actually calls 鈥榚nhanced attention鈥�.聽聽聽
Dan Hasted, ONR鈥檚 director of regulation for operating facilities, said: 鈥淭hrough our enabling regulatory approach, we have worked closely with DRDL to gain assurance that the required safety improvements have been made. 聽The licensee has demonstrated clear progress in leadership, organisational capability, decision-making, and internal assurance. This has allowed us to return the site to routine regulatory attention."
DRDL had been in enhanced regulatory attention since 2014 due to safety issues linked to ageing facilities, organisational capability and control of work.聽
But DRDL has now shown ONR that it has the capability and capacity to deliver sustainable safety performance during its construction activities as well as submarine maintenance.聽聽
Hasted added: 鈥淥ur ongoing regulatory activity at Devonport will focus on ensuring these improvements in safety performance at the site continue.鈥�