EDF ordered to improve safety standards after worker’s electric shock

EDF Energy has been ordered to improve safety standards at its Dungeness B nuclear power station after a worker required hospital treatment following an electric shock.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has served an improvement notice on the company after the employee suffered an electric shock from a portable heater while undertaking maintenance work at the Kent power plant.

The incident, which occurred last November in the wake of Storm Ciaran, resulted in the worker suffering injuries which required a visit to hospital.

Despite this, the ONR stressed that there was “no risk to nuclear safety, the public or the environment”.

EDF has until 31 July to comply with the improvement notice.

The ONR has additionally issued an enforcement letter to EDF to consider the fleet-wide implications of the use and maintenance of portable electrical equipment.

EDF has until 15 March to provide the regulator with a response on how it will address this issue across its other UK sites.

Mike Webb, ONR’s superintending inspector for operating reactors, said: “Our investigation found that EDF had failed to ensure the electrical systems involved in the incident were constructed and maintained in a way that prevented danger to their workers, so far as is reasonably practicable.

“We will engage with EDF during the period of the improvement notice to ensure positive progress is made to address the shortfall.”

An EDF spokesperson said: “On November 5 2023, and during clean-up operations from Storm Ciaran, a member of EDF staff received an electric shock from a heater being used onsite.

“He was taken to hospital for treatment but was back at work shortly after. EDF continues to work with ONR on the incident.”