Atomic weapons site safety procedures 'improved'

The Atomic Weapons Establishment is the only maker of nuclear warheads in Britain

An atomic weapons site has improved procedures after an explosive component was damaged, the nuclear watchdog has found.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) served an improvement notice to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) site in Aldermaston, Berkshire in October.

It followed an incident when an explosive component was unintentionally damaged by workers assembling a unit for testing purposes.

ONR said it had conducted regular site visits and reviewed safety and AWE had "constructively and proactively engaged".

The damage was caused when workers failed to follow appropriate procedures when manually handling the component.

The improvement notice required AWE to better plan, oversee and control activities in the Explosive Technology Centre at the site.

The site, which maintains and develops nuclear warheads, said there was no risk to the public or the environment from the incident.

Tim Allmark, ONR's head of regulation for weapons sub-directorate, said: "The licensee has taken clear and coordinated action to address the identified shortfalls and we are satisfied that it has demonstrated compliance with the notice."

ONR will continue its routine regulatory oversight of the site.

AWE's stated mission is to protect society by securing safe nuclear operations.

The nuclear regulator takes enforcement action when licensees are found to be failing to meet the safety and security standards required by law.

Enforcement can range from advice by inspectors to warnings, letters, improvement or prohibition notices, or prosecutions and instigating court proceedings.