UK nuclear regulator to prosecute EDF and Doosan over Hinkley safety incident

The Office for Nuclear Regulation there was no radiological risk to workers or the public

The UK’s nuclear regulator has notified EDF Energy Nuclear Generation and Doosan Babcock of its intention to prosecute both companies over a health and safety matter.

The charges relate to an incident – “a fall from height” – in April last year at EDF’s Hinkley Point B power station, which resulted in injury to the latter company’s employee.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) said the incident was a “conventional health and safety matter and there was no radiological risk to workers or the public”.

The nuclear power plant near Bridgwater in Somerset is capable of supplying more than 1.5 million homes with electricity at its current reduced level of around 70% of full output.

End of generation is currently estimated to be in 2023.

A spokesperson from EDF Energy said: “We are reviewing the charges against us and considering our response. As we would in any industrial safety incident of this nature we have and will continue to co-operate fully with the ONR.”

A spokesperson from Doosan Babcock added: “Health and safety is our number one value at Doosan Babcock and we take our responsibilities with regards to this extremely seriously.

“Following an industrial safety incident, involving a fall from height of a Doosan Babcock colleague at Hinkley Point B in April 2017, we have cared for our employee and have co-operated fully with the ONR throughout the investigation and we now acknowledge their intention to prosecute. As legal proceedings are pending we will not make any further comment at this stage.”

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