Worker injury prompts power station safety upgrade

EDF was issued with an improvement notice after a scaffolder was hurt at the site

A nuclear power station has compiled with an improvement notice it was served following a scaffolder being injured by a broken light fitting.

Hartlepool nuclear power station operator EDF had been given extra time in July to carry out improvements after receiving the notice from the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) in May.

ONR official Mike Webb said the team was now "satisfied" that the necessary safety improvements had been put in place.

EDF said it welcomed the update from the ONR and the safety of the people who worked at the site was its "top priority".

The ONR said the worker had been injured by a defective light fitting in February.

It said there had been no risk to nuclear safety, the public or the environment as a result.

It had previously said the accident had occurred even though EDF had identified the defective light in October 2024.

It said the company had not correctly assessed the health and safety risks with the light at the time.

EDF previously said it was developing a "specific training package" to minimise the risk of such incidents.

The station opened in 1983 and has two advanced gas-cooled reactors, capable of powering 1.4 million homes.

Last year it was announced the site would continue to operate for an extra year until 2027.