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For further details about the Fit For Purpose Safety Cases in the Nuclear Industry seminar, please visit the event website.
Please briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience with regards to Safety Cases in the Nuclear Industry
Joe Hargreaves (JH): I work in nuclear safety and have experience in the development and management of Safety Cases for nuclear installations both in the UK and internationally. I have worked on operational sites, including reactor sites, and have also supported the development of the Nuclear New Build programme. My role involves supporting general management of Safety Cases, e.g. when part of a plant or facility is changed and a modification to an existing Safety Case is required. This will typically involve hazard identification, radiological safety assessment, risk assessment and ultimately designation of any safety measures to ensure the operations can continue be undertaken safely and that the safety demonstration can be appropriately presented. But I also support the development of new Safety Cases, guide on nuclear regulation and licensing and advise on the Generic Design Assessment process (a design review process used by the UK regulator for new reactor designs).
What is the number one challenge for those designing and carrying out safety cases, in your opinion?
JH: For me the biggest challenge is actually having a clear view on what it is the Safety Case is expected to cover. Often the scope of what is to be included, or not included, is not clear and can often change as project design develops and matures. The Safety Case can sometimes be thought of as something completely detached from the physical plant in question. But in reality, it is only a structured argument, supported by evidence, which justifies that a system, plant or facility is safe for the operations intended. However, a very close number two challenge is making sure the Safety Case is simple, clear and easy for a wide audience to understand.
What is the most important development in this field at the moment, either within your organisation or in the industry in general?
JH: In my opinion the biggest challenge in the nuclear industry is to actually start building new nuclear power stations to replace the current fleet which have essentially come to the end of their life cycle. The majority of the existing power reactors have operated far beyond their initial design life and are now looking towards their final fuel cycles before moving into decommissioning. However, recently the development of co-generation from a nuclear site offers the opportunity for nuclear energy to play a much bigger role in supporting the net zero challenge and providing a source of energy beyond that of just electricity production.
What will you be presenting at the Fit For Purpose Safety Cases in the Nuclear Industry 2023 seminar and how will this benefit participants?
JH:My presentation will be based on Nuclear Enabled Co-generation and Implications for the Safety Case. And it will hopefully be of interest to participants as it will cover what we mean by Co-generation with a nuclear reactor as the energy source. Discuss the balance of radiological versus chemical risks and the novel approaches for the development of a Safety Case in the current UK regulatory regime.
What is your advice to those establishing or evaluating a safety case for the first time?
JH:I would advise that having a good mentor / advisor and peers to talk to is very important. Working on a Safety Case for the first time can be daunting, especially given how the topics are often complex and highly technical areas of engineering. But as with all things it is often good to approach each project with a positive attitude and be willing to learn new things all the time. No one can be an expert in all areas, so knowing when to ask for help and advice is important.
What other topics are you looking forward to hearing about and discussing at the upcoming seminar?
JH:My main interest is that of Nuclear New Build. I believe it is absolutely essential that we start to build new nuclear capacity now; before the existing fleet of power stations turn off. This will ensure we can continue to meet our energy requirements but also ensures we maintain a skilled nuclear workforce into the future.
Why is it important for engineers and safety practitioners to come together and share best practice?
JH:Being able to share experiences, good and bad, and have a network of peers to discuss work is very important. It allows us to challenge one another, understand which approaches / methodologies work well and continue to develop. This allows for relevant good practice to be shared between different sites and organisations to ultimately improve safety across the industry.
Fit For Purpose Safety Cases in the Nuclear Industry will take place on 23 May 2023 in Manchester
The only event of its kind, this popular event brings together experts from various fields, including nuclear safety, engineering, and regulatory affairs, to share their insights and experiences. It provides a unique and essential opportunity for nuclear safety professionals to address and overcome the key challenges for safety case design and implementation.
For further details about the seminar and to book your place, please visit the event website.