ONR to take legal proceedings against AWE

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has today, (25 July 2018) notified AWE of its intention to prosecute the company for offences under Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (1974), in relation to an electrical incident which occurred on 27 June 2017.

AWE statement:

• The incident happened during routine electrical inspection and testing work at a manufacturing
  facility on the company’s Aldermaston site. An electrician suffered a minor burn to his forearm
  following exposure to a live circuit.
• AWE takes its health and safety responsibilities extremely seriously and deeply regrets
  that a member of staff was injured.
• A robust senior management investigation was immediately undertaken following the incident.
  This resulted in a full and swift refresher programme of electrical safety across the AWE
  sites.
• AWE has co-operated fully with the ONR’s independent investigation into this incident.
• AWE is continuing to operate safely, and places safety at the heart of its operations. We
  maintain a close working relationship with ONR and our other regulators.
• As legal proceedings are pending, AWE will not make any further comment at this stage.