Response to news reports on nuclear safety and workplace culture at Sellafield
The Guardian has published claims about the safety of the oldest parts of our site as part of an ongoing series of reports.
You can read our response statement here:
There is no elevated risk to public safety as result of the issues reported by the Guardian.
We are fully open and transparent about the risks and hazards on our site. All of the issues referenced in the Guardian are known about and are being addressed with the support of our regulator.
We routinely publish updates on our website and share these for scrutiny at public meetings.
Our safety statistics are published every year in our annual review of performance.
We continue to make progress in addressing the risks posed by our highest hazard facilities. For the first time ever, we are routinely removing legacy waste from all of our highest priority buildings, including two referenced by the Guardian.
The nature of our site means that until we complete our mission, our highest hazard facilities will always pose a risk.
As part of its ongoing series, we understand the Guardian is preparing to publish a report on workplace culture at Sellafield.
A number of allegations are likely to be raised. We have asked for more information so we can investigate and intervene as necessary, particularly if employees need targeted support. Evidence has not been provided.
You can read our response statement here:
We have been open about historic cultural issues and our work to address them.
Our regulator has confirmed these issues have not resulted in any increased risk to safety at Sellafield.
Work in this area prioritises health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and eradicating bullying and harassment.
We have a comprehensive package of wellbeing and mental health support available to all employees.
This includes more than 300 trained mental health first aiders, an employee assistance line, and a mental health wellbeing app.
Diversity and inclusion training is now mandatory for all Sellafield employees and forms part of our induction. Our Dignity at Work policy is part of our terms and conditions.
There is no place for bullying and harassment at Sellafield. We do not tolerate it and where we find it, we take action.
Whistle blowers are respected, protected, and valued at Sellafield and we actively encourage employees to report matters of concern. Without exception, issues raised are taken seriously, investigated appropriately, and treated confidentially.
Any employees with concerns can raise them via our independently operated whistleblowing hotline, Safecall.
You can read our response to a news report on cyber security at Sellafield here.