Volume 9 issue 1 Nuclear Future
Winners at the NDA Estate Supply Chain Awards James Fisher hook NDA Award
As mentioned above, James Fisher Nuclear (JFN) led a team which was awarded the Best Supply Chain Collaboration (Project) award by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). The award recognises the contribution of the team comprising James Fisher Nuclear, React Engineering, Shepley Engineers, WYG Engineering, Romar and Custom Composites to the NDA’s nuclear clean-up mission. The project carried out sampling and characterisation of four
separation area storage tanks and undertook minor repairs in preparation for decommissioning. The holding tanks ceased active operations in the 70s and comprise four 12m diameter storage tanks with cone roofs, sited 6m below ground level in an open environment within the high active facility on Sellafield site. Access to the tanks is very difficult due to their location and proximity to other buildings, roads and active plant. All four tanks have miscellaneous radioactive waste within and are in a poor state of repair. Routine surveys and maintenance have not been carried out over the years and the facility is deteriorating due to being open to the elements. The dose and contamination levels from the tanks are high. To carry out the project, JFN proposed a solution using long-
reach tooling methodology which substantially reduced the cost and dose uptake to personnel compared to the baseline. The successful project delivery was dependent on close team working and collaboration between clients and suppliers, and was based on the successful CNSL model used to support the Decommissioning Framework Alliance (DFA). Teamwork through development stages was supported by co-
locating the project team at the JFN rig hall where the tooling was trialled and the operational team were trained and rehearsed prior to working on site. The location and facilities close to the Sellafield site allowed frequent contact with client operational and safety personnel, which supported joint decision-making and a shared understanding of the challenges. The nature of the project meant that the joint operational team needed to work closely and efficiently to ensure dose was kept to a minimum. Working in tight spaces with modular tooling also presented conventional hazards, so joint planning and rehearsals helped to ensure the safety of the operations. The project was completed on time without a lost time accident.
An example of the close collaboration required was in the
use of carbon fibre as the construction material for the long reach poles. The strength and low weight of carbon fibre composites was critical in delivering the project, but this was a new technology to the nuclear industry. Deploying carbon fibre first required close interaction with SL waste group to agree the acceptance of the use of carbon fibre and to negotiate an agreed
This project was completed in advance of the programme date and cost the taxpayer a third of the budgeted amount
waste route to the LLWR. The long reach tooling had to be jointly designed and developed with Custom Composites, an SME from Rochdale that specialises in the supply of products manufactured from carbon fibre and other composites. Another critical collaboration was with Romar, an SME from
Hensingham that specialises in the supply of PPE and workwear. Romar designed and supplied the blister bags used to ensure containment during operations. The design was perfected with input from all interested parties including the teams who would carry out the operations. Team-working was not confined to the supply chain or off-
site operations. A critical success factor for the site operations was the support of the site health physics team in the use of the change rooms to access the tank area and constant removal of waste either out of the tank area or between tank areas. Paul Read, Managing Director of James Fisher Nuclear,
commented: “I am delighted that the NDA recognise the effort, teamwork and innovation that goes into the delivery of successful decommissioning projects. This project was completed in advance of the programme date and cost the taxpayer a third of the budgeted amount. This project is just one example which demonstrates the creativity and value in the local supply chain.”
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