The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

NDA Sites Monthly Performance Update

General Evaluation - Key Elements

• The programme delivers work below budgeted costs.
• Programme schedule performance is inline with expectations.
• Electricity generation for Period 2 and Year to Date is above planned.

For financial year 2008/9 site plans are over pressured. This means that the NDA set budgets for sites that contained more scope of work than there was available funding to complete. Setting over pressured budgets is a tactic to build the sites cost efficiency target into their baseline scope. It is important to note that sites can only carry out the total value of work in their budget by making the necessary savings to fund the over pressured work.

Year to Date Cost and Schedule Performance
At the end of May 2008, the programme delivered work for less than expected costs. Measured against the year to date budget the programme of work at the end of May is broadly in line with expectations.

Electricity generation at the fleet of Magnox nuclear reactors operated by the NDA is above target for May 2008 and Year to Date.

Please note: We use Earned Value Performance Management to measure programme performance. This compares the budgeted cost of work that was scheduled with the budgeted cost of work that was actually performed to determine schedule performance and the budgeted cost  of work actually performed with its actual cost to determine cost performance.

Items of Interest

Key Elements

• Sizewell A receives authorisation for transfrontier shipment of contaminated metals for metal melting.
• Eastern Area of the Harwell property to be released for Science and Innovation Campus development.

Sizewell A has received authorisation from the regulator for transfrontier shipment of contaminated metals to Germany for metal melting. The authorisation for the shipment of Low Level Waste (LLW) metals for recycling provides an alternative disposal route to long term storage.

UKAEA has received government approval of alternative funding for work to release the eastern side of the Harwell property to make way for the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus development. The NDA has accepted the Harwell proposal to use alternative funds to perform work required. Preparation is underway of an NDA consent agreement and associated terms and conditions.

Safety and Environment Performance

Safety and Environment - Key Elements

• One INES Level 1 event. Two RIDDOR reportable events.
• Three environmental non-compliances.

Dosimetry is the measurement of absorbed dose in matter and tissue resulting from the exposure to ionizing radiations.

Nuclear Safety

One event rated at Level 1 on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) has been reported as occurring at NDA sites during the period.

At Hinkley Point A, an investigation into trends in using tolerance periods and concerns arising from site event reports has confirmed that there are problems with the health of the environmental and maintenance schedule implementation system. A dedicated team has been established to re-establish standards and correct or validate work already carried out. This has been categorised as INES Level 1.

Radiological Protection

The sites provide data on average individual dose, maximum individual dose and collective dose. These metrics are measured separately for SLC employees and for contractors. Dose figures are reported by calendar year rather than financial year and the following two graphs show average individual doses and maximum individual doses respectively (ordered by employee dose) for dosimeters worn by workers in calendar year 2008 and processed to date. Average individual doses and maximum individual doses should be compared with (and are all below) the legal annual limit of 20 mSv.

Dosimetry is the measurement of absorbed dose in matter and tissue resulting from the exposure to ionizing radiations.

Industrial Health and Safety

Two events reportable under RIDDOR have occurred in the period.

• At Springfields, a contractor sustained a broken elbow. This is a RIDDOR Major Injury.
• At Winfrith, a lathe operator received an arm injury whilst polishing a work piece with emery cloth and was subsequently away from work for more than three days. RIDDOR stands for the reporting of injuries diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations 1995. RIDDOR '95 requires the reporting of work-related accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences. It applies to all work activities, but not to all incidents.

Environmental Protection

Three environmental non-compliances have been reported in this period.

• At Dounreay, the passage of Dounreay Fast Reactor (DFR) IXP liquor to sump.
• At Dounreay, a hole was discovered in the Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) Processing Plant Amber Area wet extract duct.
• Springfields Fuels Ltd have received a formal letter from the Environment Agency concerning a potential breach of the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (PPC) Permit with respect to failure to operate and maintain the Combined Heating and Power (CHP) Plant boilers in a manner consistent with Best Available Techniques.

An Environmental Non Compliance is a breach of a permit condition set by the Environment Agency or the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency that prevents or controls risk of pollution to the environment.

Safety Achievements

The Low Level Waste (LLW) Repository delivered the Post Closure Safety Case on 1 May and briefed the Environment Agency on the content of the reports on 12 May. The Environment Agency is considering these reports and has subsequently requested some of the reference documents.

Trawsfynydd adequately demonstrated its emergency arrangements in a successful Level 1 Emergency Exercise. Please note We give the actual number of occurrences in each category. Not all sites employ the same number of people and/or undertake the same activities. This must be taken into account before comparisons between sites can be made.

Please note We give the actual number of occurrences in each category. Not all sites employ the same number of people and/or undertake the same activities. This must be taken into account before comparisons between sites can be made.