INSPECTION REPORT

Licence Holder: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Location inspected: OPAL Reactor at Lucas heights Science and Technology Centre, Sydney Licence Number: F0157 Date of inspection: 22 March 2013 Report No: R13/04120

This is the record of an inspection conducted under Part 7 of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (the Act). The purpose of the inspection was to assess compliance with the Act, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 1999 (the Regulations) and licence conditions. The scope of this inspection was limited to OPALs utilisation operations. It was a follow-up of the ARPANSA inspection of OPAL Utilisation conducted on 26 April 2012. The inspection consisted of: selective examination of documentation including procedures, instructions, shift-logs and shift-rosters, training records discussions with staff and management examination of the facility and staff undertaking utilisation work status of implementation of recommendations arising from the previous inspection

The following observations, conclusions and recommendations are based on an analysis of information and evidence obtained during the inspection. Observations: 1. The training records of the OPAL Production Manager the inspectors examined indicated that he had undertaken utilisation training. ARPANSA had recommended the Production Manager undertake this training at the previous 26 April 2012 inspection. The Production Manager outlined that this training has improved his ability to understand operators work tasks. Inspectors considered that this training would improve safety by providing practical experience of the demands on workers that undertake daily tasks which the Production Manager schedules and manages. 2. Inspectors noted that ANSTO had updated the shift log. ANSTO had added extra fields to the shift log which allowed the Production Manager to add comments and notes which operators could read and take note of during their shift. Although the shift handover form is not signed through written signatures of both incoming and outgoing operators, the staff and management consider this updated form useful to communicate important information regarding utilisation operations. Inspectors also consider this update to be beneficial to safety allowing both staff and management to communicate safety information more effectively. 3. ANSTO has recently installed a workstation which operators use to monitor and action utilisation work tasks. Operators outlined that this workstation allows them to more easily track and monitor their tasks and operations. Inspectors consider that the installation of this workstation will help to reduce the risk of errors in the utilisation process. 4. ANSTO management informed inspectors that they have recently established a group of two daytime utilisation operators. This spare resource creates the potential for additional staff training. According to ANSTO, the day-time staff would enable the regular shifts to undertake refresher training or review the utilisation procedures and instructions. ANSTO provided training records to inspectors which showed that several utilisation operators have undertaken this training. Inspectors consider that this initiative is a good opportunity for utilisation staff to undertake refresher training.

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5. ANSTO are undertaking a project to redesign target holders. ANSTO reported that the redesign will streamline the production process and be less taxing on operators. ANSTO informed inspectors that they are currently assessing options for a new target holder. If this is found to be successful, ANSTO will use the new target holder for all its molybdenum-99 production. Inspectors consider that this initiative will make it easier for operators to perform their tasks. Conclusion: At the time of inspection, there was no evidence of non-compliance.

Recommendations: The following improvements to enhance best practice were discussed with licence holder representatives during the inspection: 1. The OPAL Production Manager should continue to undertake training in utilisation tasks. 2. OPAL Utilisation managements recently started initiative to have the spare shift undertake training should continue to be implemented.

Good Practices: The following good radiation/nuclear safety practices were identified during the inspection: 1. The recently installed workstation operators use to monitor work tasks appears well designed, taking into account ergonomics and human factors principles.