04/05/2006

HSE to prosecute BNG Sellafield over leak

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is to bring a criminal prosecution against British Nuclear Group Sellafield Ltd (BNGSL) in connection with a leak at the Sellafield reprocessing site.

The decision to prosecute follows a detailed investigation by HSE’s Nuclear Installations Inspectorate into a leak of radioactive liquid inside a heavily shielded facility at the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP).

Notified of the incident on 20 April 2005, HSE has applied to the courts for summonses alleging that BNGSL breached three conditions attached to the Sellafield site licence granted under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965.

These conditions require the licensee: to make, and comply with, written instructions; to ensure safety systems are in good working order; and to ensure radioactive material is contained and, if leaks occur, they are detected and reported.

An initial hearing is scheduled for June 8, 2006 at Whitehaven Magistrates Court, Cumbria.

The plant has been shut since April 2005 and the 83 cubic metres of acidic radioactive liquid which leaked into a stainless steel-lined cell with 1.5m thick concrete walls has been recovered to holding tanks.

HSE said that there was no current evidence of any harm to workers or the public.

THORP reprocesses nuclear fuel from overseas and UK second-generation commercial reactors.

(SP/KMcA)

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