Environmental Safety Case for the Disposal of High Volume Very Low Level Radioactive Waste to the Lillyhall Landfill Site

Client: EnergySolutions (EU) Ltd.

Our team produced an Environmental Safety Case for the disposal of High-Volume Very Low Level Radioactive Waste (HV-VLLW) to the Lillyhall Landfill Site.

The case was produced on behalf of a partnership between EnergySolutions (EU) Ltd. and Waste Recycling Group Ltd. to develop landfill disposal capacity for VLLW as a cost-effective waste management solution. This ESC was the first to be formally submitted to the Environment Agency in support of an application for the disposal of HV-VLLW to landfill under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. The work involved the interpretation of new regulatory guidance and the development of a proportionate yet comprehensive response in discussion with the client and the Environment Agency.

The work programme involved calculations of radiological impact, developing an understanding and conceptual model for the site, the development of proposed waste acceptance criteria, drafting of a clear and comprehensive Safety Case Report and supporting the client in discussions with the Environment Agency.

Supporting the IAEA’s PRISM Project

Andy Baker is working as a consultant to support the International Atomic Energy Authority’s PRISM (Practical Illustration and Use of the Safety Case Concept in the Management of Near-surface Disposal) project and is co-ordinating a task group on Waste Acceptance Issues.

The proposed project is concerned with the nature and use of the Safety Case over the lifecycle of a near-surface disposal facility. The objectives are to share experience and communicate good practice concerning:

• The components and expectations of the Safety Case and their evolution over the lifecycle of a near-surface radioactive waste disposal facility.
• Decision making at different stages in the facility lifecycle, using the Safety Case.
  

Preparation of a Major Regulatory Submission

Client: Low Level Waste Repository Ltd.

We technically co-ordinated the production of and co-authored a major submission to the Environment Agency. This submission addressed risk management (in relation to long-term repository performance) and radiological capacity and provided an update on long-term performance. The submission was required as a condition of the LLWR’s Authorisation under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 and was seen as a critical step in ensuring the continuation of disposals at the LLWR.

The programme of work, which lasted approximately ten months, involved co-authoring a five-volume set of documents, reviewing this submission and a wide range of supporting documents. It involved liaising with a range of client staff, and contractors, an independent peer review panel and other internal and external reviewers. A substantial volume of technical work was undertaken by the LLWR’s contractors and this required specification and technical management.

The key outcome of the work was the successful co-ordination of a diverse technical programme to support a submission, which the Environment Agency subsequently accepted.

Technical Support to the Low Level Waste Repository (2008-2009)

Client: Low Level Waste Repository Ltd.

Andy Baker is providing technical support to the Low Level Waste Repository’s (LLWR’s) Environmental Safety Case (ESC) Project. In his role as the ‘Technical Integrator’ for the ESC Project, he has undertaken a range of technical co-ordination tasks, working towards the delivery of an ESC in 2011.

The project has included:

• Technical oversight of the ESC Technical Programme;
• Co-authorship of key reports such as a Safety Case Approach document;
• Authoring or reviewing technical specifications, tender submissions and technical deliverables;
• Managing particular technical activities;
• Supporting discussions with the Environment Agency and reviewing or preparing documents to submit to the Environment Agency;
• Development of the LLWR’s technical approach.

Success of the ESC Project is critical in determining the future role of the LLWR.