Proposals on separating nuclear safety regulation from the rest of the
HSE by setting up a new “single, easily identifiable body” have been
put out to consultation.
The new sector-specific independent regulator (currently referred to as the NSC) would be responsible for overseeing safety, security and transport of civil nuclear sites and material.
If approved, the NSC could be established by April next year, and would have a predominantly non-executive board, which reports to: ministers, in respect of its regulatory functions; and ministers and the HSE, in respect of strategies and business planning. According to the consultation document, this arrangement “would minimise the regulatory interfaces for nuclear industry duty-holders, and the continued relationship with HSE would ensure that the NSC’s approach to nuclear and conventional health and safety remains consistent with HSE’s approach to conventional health and safety”.
The NSC would combine the regulatory responsibilities of the HSE’s Nuclear Directorate with those of the Department of Transport for the safe and secure transport of radioactive material. It would also be a statutory corporation, with greater organisational and financial freedom, and with a chief inspector as the regulatory head.
Safety minister Lord McKenzie said: “The restructuring is designed to help deal with a wide range of complex challenges arising from the rapidly changing requirements of the nuclear industry.” One of the biggest challenges has been a ‘skills crisis’ in the industry at a time when many of today’s nuclear facilities will be reaching the end of their generating lifespan over the next 10 to 15 years, and the Government is pressing ahead with its nuclear new-build programme.
Last month, the Observer newspaper obtained a report compiled earlier this year by the Government’s chief nuclear inspector, Mike Weightman, which claimed that the HSE’s Nuclear Installations Inspectorate was struggling to fill vacancies and needed an extra 36 staff by 2011 to manage an influx of nuclear planning applications.
The Prospect union, which represents HSE inspectors, is largely supportive of the plans and believes the restructure will free the new body from civil service pay constraints that have hindered the NII’s ability to recruit and retain experienced nuclear inspectors.
The consultation on the ‘Restructuring of the Health and Safety Executive’s Nuclear Directorate’ will run until 22 September. The document can be found by clicking here.
