The role of a Nuclear Inspector

The Office for Nuclear Regulation regulates nuclear safety and radioactive waste management on nuclear licensed sites and helps raise international standards. Nuclear Inspectors are expected to be capable of undertaking a variety of roles:

• Inspecting sites
• Assessing technical safety cases
• Enforcing the law and influencing improvement in safety cases
• Developing strategic approaches to secure high standards in the industry
• Managing nuclear research contracts etc

The role of a Nuclear Inspector is varied and you are likely to undertake a range of duties during your career. Some Inspectors concentrate on undertaking planned and reactive inspections on site, while others will mainly assess safety submissions or manage discrete intervention projects.

However, the focus is on working as teams to ensure compliance, reassure the public and improve safety standards. When Inspectors find shortcomings in compliance they initially provide advice but may issue verbal and written warnings. The powers available to inspectors enable them to serve Enforcement Notices and ultimately initiate prosecutions. There is also a wide range of powers available under nuclear license conditions.