Devonport dockyard is out of 'special measures'

Safety improves after 12 years of 'enhanced attention'

Twelve years after being put into the equivalent of special measures, Devonport Royal Dockyard is now considered safer.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) says "enhance attention" will now be dropped and be "routine" instead.

Concerns arose about safety issues linked to ageing facilities, organisational capability and control of work in 2014, and the enhanced attention has been in place ever since.

Dan Hasted, ONR’s director of regulation for operating facilities, said: “We have worked closely with DRDL to gain assurance that the required safety improvements have been made. 

"The licensee has demonstrated clear progress in leadership, organisational capability, decision-making, and internal assurance. This has allowed us to return the site to routine regulatory attention."

The ONR says the dockyard has now shown that it has the capability and capacity to deliver sustainable safety performance during its construction activities and submarine maintenance.  

Regulatory attention levels based on overall performance that considers safety and operational factors, reflecting judgements across nuclear safety, nuclear site health and safety and, where applicable, civil nuclear security.

Dan Hasted added: “Our ongoing regulatory activity at Devonport will focus on ensuring these improvements in safety performance at the site continue.”