OSART report on Heysham 2 nuclear power plant, 2023: government response
Published 3 April 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/operational-safety-review-heysham-2-nuclear-power-station-2023-report-and-government-response/osart-report-on-heysham-2-nuclear-power-plant-2023-government-response
Publication of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) mission report on Heysham 2 nuclear power station
From 2nd to 19th October 2023, EDF Energy hosted an independent team of industry experts led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to conduct an assessment of operational safety at Heysham 2 nuclear power station. This was held at the invitation of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The purpose of an OSART mission is to peer review the operational safety performance of a nuclear power plant against the IAEA safety standards, make recommendations and suggestions for further improvement and identify good practices that can be shared with nuclear power plants around the world. The UK Government values OSART reviews highly as they make a major contribution to spreading international best practice.
This OSART mission reviewed 10 areas: Leadership and Management for Safety; Training and Qualification; Operations; Maintenance; Technical Support; Operating Experience Feedback; Radiation Protection; Chemistry; Emergency Preparedness & Response; Accident Management. During the mission, the international experts observed that safety performance at Heysham 2 was good.
The team identified nine good practices. Good practices are defined as an outstanding and proven performance, activity or equipment in use that contributes directly to operational safety and good performance. As with all peer reviews, the OSART team also offered recommendations and suggestions for further improvement.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero welcomes the report from the IAEA and looks forward to a follow up Mission conducted by the IAEA in around two years’ time. We would also like to thank and commend EDF Energy and Heysham 2’s leadership and plant personnel for hosting the mission, for their positive engagement with the review team and their commitment to nuclear safety. The UK Government is confident that good progress will be made by EDF Energy on the further enhancements suggested by the IAEA and recognises the positive feedback provided by IAEA on the operational safety of Heysham 2.
See the IAEA’s report on Heysham 2.
Further information about OSART missions is available on the IAEA’s Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) webpage.