EDF served safety notice after scaffolder burnt

EDF has been served with a safety notice by the nuclear regulator after a scaffolder suffered burns while working at Hartlepool Power Station.

Today (19 May), the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) issued an improvement notice on EDF, which runs the site, following the incident.

It is the second time this month that the firm has received a notice from the watchdog.

The latest notice comes after a scaffolder, employed by a contractor company, sustained a minor burn to the back of their neck after coming into contact with a defective light fitting, the ONR said.

The incident occurred on 20 February when the worker was erecting scaffolding to access a wall heater near the damaged light fitting in the reactor hall.

Mike Webb, the ONR’s head of operating reactors subdirectorate, said EDF had been aware of the defect four months prior to the incident.

“Our investigation into the incident showed that EDF had identified the defective light fitting in October 2024,” he said.

“However, EDF had not correctly assessed the health and safety risks associated with the damaged light fitting, resulting in the injury to the worker.”

The ONR issued the improvement notice under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

To comply with the notice, EDF must ensure it has suitable arrangements in place to correctly assess risks arising from identified defects, to safeguard the health and safety of workers.

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

EDF has until 15 July to comply with the notice.

On 12 May, the ONR served EDF Energy subsidiary NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd with a notice relating to Hinkley Point C following the failure of components on one of its cranes.