Europe’s centre of decommissioning excellence
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February / March 2016
DFR LTA
record
- 13 years and
counting . . . .
. . . see page 6 for more
In this issue:
News round-up
Keep recylcing clean
Lean helps processes
Xmas safety roadshow
An FCA reprocessing plant is
back in business after the
team successfully repaired a
highly radioactive component
that was hampering clean-up
operations.
full story on pages 2 & 3
Where in
the world . . . ?
Adopting DMTR
Sue's News
1-9
8
10-11
12
14
20
. . . see page 2
2
news round-up
D O U N R E AY N E W S
Where
in the
world?
The successful repair of the active filter change
mechanism means that D1206 can proceed with its
programme of cell clean-up work.
During a routine filter change
operation the team found a
mechanism on one of the filters
had seized and they were unable
to change the filter.
The ventilation system has been
operating at a reduced capacity
since 2009 as a result. This is not
suitable for the programme of
decommissioning work.
It was not easy to gain access to
the repair area. The components
are situated in a heavily shielded
chamber with no designed
access arrangements.
Fran and Alan Mowat
took their daughter
Jessica to visit Santa in
Lapland.
Jessica had an amazing
time and although she
loved Santa, the husky
sledge dog ride was her
favourite.
Due to the high radiation and
contamination, the team made
the decision to carry out the repair
by semi-remote means.
The team used a mock-up of the
AFC to create and trial the tools
needed for the repair. It also
ensured the workers received
minimal dose.
Gordon Tait, senior project
manager said: “This is another
excellent demonstration of the
benefits of mock ups in
decommissioning and also
highlights the engineering talent
and team work existing within the
DSRL workforce”.
Before the active repairs to the
filter cell could start, the work area
had to be opened up.
The redundant dissolver cell 3
control panel and office
enclosure were removed.
A section of a dividing wall
between the cell and the inactive
feed area was also removed to
improve access.
seized the clamp. They replicated
the fault on the mock up and
trialled ways to repair it, before
completing the work.
The alternative to the repair would
have been to install a new
ventilation system at an
approximate cost of £10 million.
This would have had significant
safety, cost and time implications
on the decommissioning
programme.
The team will now be able to
change all filters. This will allow
the active filter cell to operate at
full capacity and reduces any risk
to the decommissioning
programme.
Using the techniques developed
on the mock-up, the team cored a
hole into the cell shielding, and
identified the cause of the
problem.
Steve Beckitt, FCA Project
Director said: “This is an excellent
example of the use of mock-ups
and innovation.
They found that a bush, made
from mild steel instead of
stainless steel, had corroded and
“Its success has resulted in
significant savings of over £10
million.”
Santa was kind enough
to get his photo taken
with Dounreay News.
Send your stories to
the editor at:
[email protected]
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news round-up
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
D O U N R E AY N E W S
3
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4
news round-up
D O U N R E AY N E W S
Milestone for drum
crushing team
Staff at Dounreay's WRACS (Waste Receipt Assay Characterisation and
Supercompaction) facility have reached a project milestone ahead of
schedule following the restart of the facility in July 2015.
DSRL had to crush 3,500 drums
from a backlog by March 31 to
meet the bonus-related
milestone, but the team achieved
it on January 18.
Active commissioning of the
facility was completed in
December 2015 and full
operations commenced on
January 5 2016. Two shift teams
began working on January 11 and
will continue until the backlog of
drums has been compacted.
DSRL expected to complete the
backlog of over 16,000 drums by
this winter, but now expect it to be
The WRACS facility receives 200
litre drums of solid low level
waste. The contents of each drum
are checked and the drum
assayed before the
supercompactor crushes it.
complete by late autumn.
In early January the team at
WRACS reached another
milestone when they crushed the
60,000th drum through the facility
since it began
active operations
in 2001.
The crushed drums, known as
pucks, are then placed into half
height ISO containers ready for
grouting and disposal in the low
level waste vault.
The facility had been out of action
from July 2011 to July 2015 while
the team replaced the broken
supercompactor, and a backlog
of drums built up.
Glovebox specialists collaborate on contracts
In 2014, DSRL awarded framework agreements for mechanical services to three
contractors - Aquila Nuclear Engineering, JGC Engineering and Redhall Nuclear.
With decades of experience
between them, the companies are
all specialists in the design,
manufacture, assembly, testing
and installation of gloveboxes and
in-box process equipment for the
nuclear industry.
The framework agreements have
been used to award a number of
contracts for mechanical works
including the build and testing of a
number of gloveboxes required by
the Fuels Directorate for the
processing of unirradiated
material currently stored at
Dounreay.
Building on their experience, the
three contractors have formed the
AJR Alliance which is now
tendering for work at other sites
within the NDA estate.
successful in securing contracts at
other sites within the NDA Estate.”
DSRL Commercial Manager Mike
Muir has endorsed the
collaborative working approach of
the three contractors that has
contributed to the success of the
framework agreement.
Dave Barker is the CEO of Aquila
Nuclear Engineering. He said:
“The DSRL framework agreement
for gloveboxes, shielded doors
and waste containers has been
extremely successful,
not just in terms of
winning business but
in recognitions of our
specialist capabilities
and our ability to
collaborate with our
competitors to the
benefit of UK Plc.
He explained: “DSRL has derived
considerable value for money from
this framework agreement .
“Of particular note was the
collaborative working between the
three contractors in support of the
contracts awarded on behalf of
Fuels Directorate.
“I hope that the AJR Alliance is
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
wider NDA estate. “
Following a change in UK
Government strategy, DSRL is now
considering how best to use the
gloveboxes, and how best to share
the knowledge gained during the
project with the NDA estate.
“This collaboration
will go beyond
serving DSRL into the
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news round-up
D O U N R E AY N E W S
5
DMTR mezzanine floor removal
The Dounreay Materials Test Reactor (DMTR) project team have now
completed the removal of the mezzanine floors ahead of their project
milestone date.
The work was completed in midJanuary, ten weeks ahead of the
DSRL bonus target date.
The complete internal
decommissioning of DMTR, will
take two years to complete.
The mezzanine floors consist of
solid chequer plates set onto
steel beams, at different levels
throughout the containment
building, which allowed access to
different parts of the reactor when
it was operating.
The work involved unbolting the
floor plates and removing the
beams. Some of the beams were
welded into place and were cut
out of position using power tools.
Caithness Scaffolding provided
the scaffolding for access,
immediately below the
mezzanine levels to provide a
usable working platform.
of these sections is clearing
space around the reactor to help
with its decommissioning and
also creating access for the polar
crane.
Project manager Bill Lambie said
“Removal of the mezzanine floors
has opened up space inside the
containment building that will be
used for decommissioning.
“The visual impact of dismantling
this infrastructure is clearly
noticeable.
“The task was completed safely
and ahead of schedule; I believe
this was due to the meticulous
planning that was done for the
job, the team having the right
safety attitude and excellent
teamwork.
“We're now looking forward to the
challenge of completing the
decommissioning of this iconic
building.”
There is only one lifting path in the
reactor building and the removal
Success in the bag for D1211
D1211 operators are using the most ordinary items in innovative ways to
said: “This is typical of the core teams come up with to enhance
save their project money.
The process of straining liquids
through various materials has
been used throughout the world
for centuries.
The technique used at D1211 to
separate liquids and solids is to
pour the liquor into laundry bags.
These are sacks made from sewn
nylon / cotton material.
The sacks are suspended until
the liquid drains out, leaving the
sludge behind.
The bags can be purchased in
different thickness to suit each
requirement.
effective, fit for purpose solutions
the FCA decommissioning
decommissioning operations”.
The operators have used this
technique in various facilities over
the years as the preferred way of
separating low level radiologically
contaminated material from
liquid.
It reduces the amount of solid low
level waste remaining for
disposal.
It also reduces project costs by
eliminating the purchase of
expensive filtration equipment.
Project manager Eddie MacKay
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6
news round-up
D O U N R E AY N E W S
DFR clocks up thirteen years
of safe working
In December last year DFR achieved thirteen years without a lost time accident.
This equates to 4,748 days of safe
working, which is a remarkable
achievement for the former
reactor that became the first fast
reactor in the world to provide
electricity to a national grid.
the SNOW conversations are
recorded, allowing information to
be trended, which in turn leads to
campaigns or roadshows to
highlight and share common
issues.
As the decommissioning work
progresses within its redundant
nuclear reactors, maintaining a
flawless safety record is an
achievement the DFR team is
extremely proud of.
Management act quickly to
correct faults and weaknesses
identified in UNORs. Staff at all
levels are directly involved in the
planning of work, to ensure that
the method is safe and efficient.
This ensures all members of the
DFR team have a thorough
understanding of the procedures
and share their knowledge,
identifying safety concerns as
they arise in the pre-planning
phase.
The plant has safely and
successfully commissioned and
completed some major project
work over the last thirteen years.
Although there is no single factor
contributing to the safety record,
the open reporting culture is a
major contributor. The DFR team
has become adept at identifying
and learning from issues before
they become significant.
Positive SNOW conversations are
encouraged allowing good
behaviours to be reinforced and
praised. A significant number of
commitment of the team. It
requires a continuous focus on
safety by both DSRL and its
contractors. Safety is in the
forefront of everything we do.
“Decommissioning hazardous
plants over half a century old
brings with it many challenges
and maintaining a safe working
platform to do this is essential. I
commend my colleagues for
leading the way in creating a
positive DSRL safety culture and
helping us in our aim to become
the European reference site for
decommissioning excellence
through innovation.”
Ken Heider, reactors project
director, said: “Decommissioning
DFR is one of the most significant
challenges in the UK today. We
have a highly-skilled and
professional workforce. Our
safety record is a huge
achievement and reflects the
NDA consults on draft Strategy and Business Plan
The NDA's draft Strategy and Business Plan is out for consultation.
The consultation period for both
NDA's draft strategy and draft
business plan 2016 to 2019 runs
until February 15.
These documents reflect the
NDA's five year budget as
determined through the
Spending Review set out by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer in
his Autumn Statement of
November 25, 2015.
The NDA would like to hear from
members of the public, nuclear
regulators, employees within the
SLCs, trade unions, local
authorities, site stakeholder
groups (SSGs), nongovernmental organisations
(NGOs) and any other
organisations or public bodies.
on the NDA's website,
www.nda.gov.uk
It is anticipated that the
finalised strategy will be
published in April.
More information on the
consultation process is available
The consultation document
presents NDA's current strategy,
setting out its strategic direction
and long-term objectives.
Nuclear
Decommissioning
Authority
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
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news round-up
D O U N R E AY N E W S
7
Focusing on Decommissioning Excellence
Decommissioning excellence is the business model for how we
decommission the site in an efficient and focused manner.
In 2013, after the Cavendish
Dounreay Partnership took over
the running of the site, a small
working group was put together in
order to define Decommissioning
Excellence – a term that was
borne out of a competition to write
a new strapline for the site.
In the working group were Bill
Lambie, Gordon Tait, Phil
Cartwright, Pete Thompson,
Jonathan Nisbet and Graham
Cameron.
Steve Beckitt was the project
sponsor and continues to drive
the initiative forward.
At the same time, the Executive
Committee developed a new
vision and mission statement that
expresses what DSRL wants to
be, and what it wants to achieve.
The vision is to be recognised as
the centre for decommissioning
excellence in Europe, and the
mission sets out the way the site
will work to realise it.
Both of these must be fulfilled for
us to demonstrate that we are
decommissioning excellently.
To ensure that the whole site
could focus on decommissioning
excellence, the working group
devised a set of 24 different
topics, which were assessed
against robust criteria, showing
how the site was performing.
A cross section of the workforce
meet monthly to look at the
trending of each of the topics.
aspects of the mission equally."
They debate the different criteria
and decide whether they are
performing well (green), are fairly
static (amber) or are areas for
concern (red).
If you want to be involved in the
monthly meeting please contact
Bill Lambie.
This information is presented on
two posters that are displayed on
the site's notice boards.
The output from this meeting is
then presented to a Steering
Group, chaired by Dounreay MD,
Phil Craig.
Steve Beckitt said "This is proving
to be the perfect vehicle for
engagement of the workforce in
assessing the site performance
and ensuring we achieve all
Quality not just for one day
Dounreay and the NDA demonstrated their commitment to quality when
the site took part in Quality Day last November.
People incorrectly assume quality
only applies to manufactured
goods and therefore does not
apply to a decommissioning site.
However, more organisations are
starting to recognise the
importance of quality; many
business leaders have stated that
achieving “operational
excellence” is one of their biggest
challenges.
For an organisation with the
strapline “decommissioning
excellence”, quality clearly
applies at Dounreay.
We don't have to look far to find
stories where lack of attention to
quality proved to be very costly:
• South Korea had to shut down
two nuclear reactors after it
emerged that the safety
certificates for more than 7,600
items, procured by the plants
over the past nine years, had
been forged.
• Following the revelation that
emissions tests had been
rigged using 'defeat device
software' in more than 11
million engines worldwide, VW
announced that all affected
cars would be recalled from
January 2016. £4.7bn has
been set aside to cover
potential damages arising
from the scandal, but VW
could face much larger fines.
• Toshiba's accounting scandal
could have been avoided if it
had pursued a culture of
q u a l i t y, a c c o r d i n g t o a n
industry expert. An internal
investigation revealed the
electronics giant had
overstated its profits by
£780m.
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
Busting the myths
Myth: quality does not
apply at Dounreay
Truth: it does, because
• Value for money is vital
• Profit is not our primary
focus
• We are funded by the
Government
• Improving quality costs
money
• It can't be measured.
• It is taxpayers' money,
so it matters how it's
spent
• It actually saves money
in terms of re-work
• There are various
metrics which can be
used
“Quality can be defined in many different ways. The key definitions in order for
Dounreay to complete the programme to reach interim end state are meeting or
exceeding the expectations of our customer (STD 2051, Quality)”
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8
news round-up
D O U N R E AY N E W S
Keeping recycling clean
In January 2014 it became law for businesses in Scotland to recycle as
much waste as possible.
The Scottish Government has
also set two targets.
increase our bottle recycling by
52 bags a year.
By 2025 seventy per cent of waste
must be recycled, and no more
than five per cent should go to
landfill.
It is incumbent on us all to
improve our environmental
impact and this small effort from
everybody can help do that.
Dounreay has been recycling
materials for several years with
the help of the workforce.
“We also have a responsibility to
those in the stores who have to
handle our plastic bottles.
The list of materials recycled is
growing each year.
“Please therefore make the effort
to wash them!”
Staff from logistics are doing a
great job organising the recycling
but they need everyone on site to
help.
Each week at least one bag of
plastic bottles is sent to landfill
instead of going for recycling,
because people are not washing
out their milk bottles.
Dounreay boss Phil Craig said:
“This one small task could
Dounreay's recycling
figures for 2014 / 15:
22,248kg
14,927kg
152,950kg
of
of
of
paper
cardboard
metal
510kg
798kg
of
of
glass
plastic
33,440kg
460kg
of
of
wood
drink cans
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
1,215kg
polythene
wrap
£11,449
income
from
Highland Council residents can now recycle more
plastic items than ever before.
You can now put plastic pots, tubs and trays
(excluding black plastic) into the blue Highland
Council recycling bin – in addition to cardboard food
& drink cartons, aerosols and envelopes.
The new materials supplement the original four
categories - paper, cardboard, tin cans and plastic
bottles.
Householders and business customers are asked to
'keep it clean' and in particular to rinse out items such
as yoghurt pots, ice-cream tubs and fish and meat
food trays before putting them into their recycling
bins.
Glass should continue to be taken to one of the
Highland Council's network of glass recycling points.
For further information about the new items that can
be recycled in the blue bins visit:
http://www.highland.gov.uk/
To contact the waste awareness team email
[email protected] or call 01349 886603.
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features
D O U N R E AY N E W S
9
Risky business for
nuclear specialists
Dounreay's risk specialists attended the NDA's annual risk management
conference in December.
Steve Beckitt, Peter Craig and
Elaine Forbes were among 40
senior executives from the NDA
estate, the SLCs and the
regulatory authorities who
gathered in Cumbria to discuss
the challenges for the nuclear
industry in this critical topic.
Dealing with the risks inevitably
associated with ageing nuclear
facilities is a fundamental part of
the NDA's mission and will
continue as a priority focus for the
whole estate, particularly in the
light of recent high-profile cyberattacks and the current
international climate.
The event was the first to be
organised by the newly formed
Nuclear Industry Risk
Management Association
(NIRMA), whose membership, as
well as the NDA, SLCs and
regulators, also includes EDF and
the Institute of Risk Management.
NIRMA was established during
2015 to ensure good risk
management practice is shared
across the industry and to
influence improved risk
management standards.
has increased its profile over the
last year and continues to be an
NDA Executive priority. The NDA
vision is to ensure risk
management is embedded into
the way that we work.”
The delegates focused on
learning, sharing good practice
and understanding how risks are
managed by other industries.
DSRL's risk manager, Elaine
Forbes, said that the conference
was an excellent opportunity to
network with other SLCs,
ensuring that risk management
continues to be high profile at
Dounreay.
The NDA's risk manager Richard
James said: “Risk management
Union
visit
Scottish Trade Union Council
General Secretary Grahame
Smith (second from right) and
Deputy General Secretary
Stephen Boyd (second from
left) visited site in January. They
are pictured with Niall Watson,
Phil Craig and John Deighan.
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
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10 D O U N R E A Y N E W S
features
Lean helps trim down Dounreay processes
The Lean Excellence project was launched at Dounreay in August 2015
The team have carried out a
number of workshops and have
completed five Work Outs as well
as several area-specific
workshops, with approximately
100 Work Out participants.
Work Outs are co-ordinated and
facilitated by the team working
with an appointed project
sponsor and a project manager.
The project sponsor endorses the
Work Out and sets the challenge
and the scope, participates in the
decision making panel and is
responsible for approving and
owning the implementation plan.
The project manager works with
the sponsor to shape the scope
of the challenge and manages
the implementation.
All agreed improvements will be
handed over to the Work Out
project team for implementation.
WORK OUT 1:
Waste transport – 200 litre LLW drums
WORK OUT 2:
DMR Process
Project sponsor: Mick Moore
Project manager: Neil Buchan
Frustration was voiced across site concerning lack of clarity on the
use and purpose of DMRs, the length of time it takes to get a DMR
through the system, and the number of repeated document reviews
which all cause delays to work across site.
This work out is now in the implementation phase and
improvements to be applied are;
• a revised DMR process including the re-definition of a
“modification”;
Project sponsor: Bruce Covert
• identification of appropriate training on all aspects of the revised
process;
Project manager: Graham Beaven
• scoping of Achiever plus modifications.
The transport team were concerned by the volume of paperwork the
transport drivers were required to carry around.
The drivers also had to visually check the LLW drum (C-bins)
barcodes, which was time consuming and prone to mistakes.
Figures also showed a number of consignments were rejected early
in the process causing additional checking and rework to clarify
issues.
Solutions now being implemented by the team are:
• introduction of barcode readers to reduce both visual checks
and paperwork which will pick up any incorrect/non-consigned
drums before leaving a facility;
• changing the process at WRACS to reduce double handling
drums, reducing the potential for a high dose and improving the
safety for the operators;
• the use of an electronic drum contents sheet to reduce rejected
consignments.
WORK OUT 3:
Accident & Incident Investigation process
Project sponsor: Jim Gray
Project manager: Alisdair Burnett
Following discussions with key stakeholders including SEPA and
ONR it became apparent that there were concerns on the time taken
for all levels of investigations to be completed, the lack of
transparency and communications during the investigation process
and some inconsistency in accurately identifying the root causes of
incidents.
These issues could drive the business to implement actions which
do not fully address the problems.
The team identified strong solutions including:
• increasing the knowledge and understanding of the process;
• address the potential for a core investigation team with specific
roles and responsibilities;
• standardising some areas of the process
• including contractors when and where required.
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features
D O U N R E AY N E W S
11
Lean helps trim down Dounreay processes
WORK OUT 4:
Maintenance Scheduling
Project sponsor: Mick Moore
Project manager: TBA
A number of successful workshops have been held with key
maintenance staff to identify improvements to the maintenance
scheduling process across all site areas.
LEAN
Improving preventive and corrective scheduling is key to making
efficiencies and cost savings within the maintenance organisation
and meeting regulatory performance metrics of site licence
conditions.
Key solutions have been identified and the implementation plan is in
the final review stage and will be rolled out over the next few months.
WORK OUT 5:
Works Control
Project sponsor: Mick Moore
Project manager: TBA
Following the lead from DIT and picking up the issues raised, work
has started bringing together the relevant people to work towards
developing a standardised method statement process across the
site.
Implement
& review
Approve recommendations
Brainstorm solutions
Give them a challenge
Bring together the
people that do the job
If you have issues with a process which impacts on your work and you feel
could be improved please contact the Lean Excellence Team.
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
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12 D O U N R E A Y N E W S
features
Roadshow encourages
a safe Christmas
The Assurance team held a “Have a Safety Christmas” Roadshow for
three days during December in the Welcome Break.
The aim of the road show was to
offer the workforce information to
help them keep safe over
Christmas.
Many of the 300 people who
attended the roadshow were
horrified to see that their hand
washing technique was not quite
as effective as they thought it was.
Advice was on offer covering
electrical, fire and general health
and safety in the home.
The communication room was
turned into Hazardous House
which included everything from
the kitchen sink to a crawling
baby.
Personnel were encourage to try
and spot as many hazards as
they could, with Vicki Edmunds
winning a £50 Amazon voucher
when her correct entry was pulled
out of the box.
The NHS also loaned Assurance
their “Wash and Glow” machine,
used by them to train and educate
staff in effective hand-washing
techniques.
Apprentices walk for local fundraising
Over the years the Dounreay apprentices have raised thousands
of pounds for local charities.
In July over twenty apprentices
set off on a sponsored walk from
the remote location of Altnabreac
station to Loch More, which
involved hiking miles along a
broken sandy track snaking
through the remote Caithness
landscape.
The weather stayed dry and the
day was relatively uneventful,
apart from one 'smart cookie' who
shall remain nameless (Greg),
who decided to test the depth of
the potholes and landed up to his
knees in a rather deep wet hole.
The group celebrated their
achievement with a barbecue at
the side of the loch at the end of
the day.
The money raised by the
apprentices over the years has
supported a huge range of local
charities and organisations,
supporting both young and old, fit
and healthy, humans and animals
and many other good causes in
the local area.
Thanks to the endless generosity
of the Caithness community and
everyone on site, a total of £2,250
was raised, which meant
donations of £750 to three
charities; Macmillan Cancer
Support, Kaydens Wish to Walk
and KWK9.
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
Pictured receiving cheques on behalf of their organisations are: Sheila
Sinclair and Jan Robinson from Macmillan Robbie, Alan and Megan
Malcolm for Kaydens Wish to Walk Louise Paton for KWK9
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D O U N R E AY N E W S
13
Alyn receives Highland
Coaching Award
Alyn Gunn, head coach, at Thurso Football Academy, was named as 'Young
Person's Coach of the Year' at the 2015 Highland Coaching Awards.
The awards are run by High Life
Highland in partnership with
Sport Scotland and recognise the
outstanding contribution of local
coaches.
Without them, there would be
fewer sport and physical activity
opportunities in Highland
communities.
Alyn has been an active coach for
16 years and has gained his C
Licence in football, which for a
youngster is quite an
achievement.
He works voluntarily at the
Academy three times a week,
spending up to 20 hours of his
free time, and does everything
from the coaching to the
administration.
Alyn makes a big impact in the
Caithness region as the Football
Academy is for children as young
as three up to nine year olds, the
only football club in the Highlands
to accept three year olds.
Alyn also goes into local schools
to coach nursery and Primary 1s.
“They love it,” he says.
He has also recently written a
training drills booklet, 'Tiny
Tacklers', which is packed with
coaching drills themed around
popular cartoon characters to
capture the imagination of young
children and give them a fun
introduction to the game.
The booklet has been endorsed
b y e x- M a n c h e s t e r U n i t e d
manager Sir Alex Ferguson
amongst others.
In May last year, Alyn was
recognised by the Daily Record
for his efforts with the booklet and
was nominated for the
'McDonalds / Sunday Mail
Grassroots awards.
Alyn is pictured receiving his
award from Kenny Russell,
Active Schools Co-ordinator.
Prison visit for Dounreay pair
Jonathan and Natalie Nisbet were “just visiting” Alcatraz whilst on holiday and
took Dounreay News with them to while away their stay.
Alcatraz Island is located in San
Francisco Bay, one and half miles
offshore from San Francisco.
Legends abound as to how the collection
started, but the truth is likely to be stranger
than fiction.
It was used as a federal prison for
thirty years until 1963, housing
many infamous prisoners
including Al Capone.
It is claimed that no prisoner
successfully escaped from the
island.
There were fourteen escape
attempts with 36 people involved.
Twenty three prisoners were
caught alive; six were shot and
killed, two drowned and five are
listed as missing and presumed
drowned.
Jonathan might have been
channelling the Bird Man of
Alcatraz, but in actual fact he is
the Duck Man of DIT.
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
"I'm going quackers in here!"
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14 D O U N R E A Y N E W S
features
Tyler adopts DMTR
The latest young curator to "Adopt An Object" in Caithness Horizons is
eight year old Tyler Gunn.
With a direct link to Dounreay (his
mum is Tina Wrighton in
Communications), Tyler was keen
to adopt an artefact from the
Dounreay collection.
Herbarium, Caithness Horizons
hopes that you will get involved
and “Adopt An Object” for yourself
or as a unique gift.
How can I adopt an object?
The new DMTR exhibition is the
latest exhibit from the Dounreay
site and forms an impressive
feature in our local museum.
The control room panels and
control desk were donated to
Caithness Horizons and
reconstructed at the museum to
form the basis of a new
permanent exhibition
representing Dounreay's
significant part in Scotland's
industrial heritage.
The Caithness Horizons “Adopt
an Object” scheme is open to
everyone and your support helps
the registered charity to care for
its unique collection.
Why should I adopt an object?
By making a donation and
adopting a museum object, you
will help Caithness Horizons to
care for its collection, preserve
local and national heritage, and
inspire thousands of people every
year.
Whether your passion is for
prehistoric pots or plant
specimens from the Robert Dick
• Yo u c a n a d o p t o n e o f
Caithness Horizons objects
for a donation of £30 per year
• You can adopt a display case
full of objects at Caithness
Horizons for a donation of
£150 per year
As a thank you for your
donation, you will receive:
• An Adoption Certificate –
certificates can be customised
with a dedication to make a gift
adoption even more special
• An information sheet about
your object
• Your name will appear on the
object label for the year (you
can opt out of this if you prefer)
• You will receive invitations to
exclusive events
For more information about the
scheme or the museum collection
contact the Caithness Horizons
curator, Joanne Howdle, via
email:
Joannehowdle@caithnesshorizo
ns.co.uk
• In June 1955 construction of the DMTR began.
• It was constructed to test the effects of
irradiation on metals.
• The reactor was contained in a steel pressure
vessel, and had a thermal output of 25MWt.
• It was housed in this type of vessel because of
its shape and became known affectionately as
the 'upturned dustbin'.
• The construction was completed in February
1958 and DMTR went critical in May 1958,
making it the first operational nuclear reactor on
Scottish soil.
• In May 1969, DMTR closed for the last time.
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features
D O U N R E AY N E W S
15
Progress and Projections
– CNSRP's 2015 Annual Review
The partners in Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership
have published an Annual Review of activities for 2015.
The publication takes a look at
progress with a number of key
enabling projects such as the NDA
Nuclear Archive, tidal energy in the
Pentland Firth, developing the
young workforce and North
Highland College.
“It is heartening to see that our area
continues to produce healthy
levels of new business start-ups,
and that since 2007 over 200
companies have committed to
creating around 1,100 jobs in the
area economy.
There is also a review of the jobs
committed to by companies since
the Partnership began its work in
late 2007, as well as a look forward
to the number of jobs the partners
expect could be created between
now and 2030.
“We think that over the next 15
years – as Dounreay's
decommissioning programme
continues – a further 1,600 jobs
can be supported in a range of
sectors.
Eann Sinclair, CNSRP
Programme Manager, said: “2015
was a challenging year for
businesses, with fluctuations in the
price of oil having significant
knock-on effects for local people
and companies.
“Throughout this, CNSRP partners
have continued to provide advice
and support to companies, and
have continued to make progress
with infrastructure investments.
“We can already see the positive
impact being made by
investments like the Jubilee Quay
at Scrabster, which enjoyed a
record year for oil & gas traffic in
2015.
“The rollout of digital connectivity is
also making real progress.
“Our focus as partners will be in
prioritising the projects and
investments that will give us the
best possible chance to move the
area economy away from
dependence on Dounreay
decommissioning to a diverse,
stable, sustainable economic
base.”
The foreword to the Annual Review
is contributed by Scottish
Government Business, Energy &
Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing
MSP, who visited Caithness in
January.
He said in the foreword: “In the
year that CNSRP partner
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
celebrated 50 years of its own and
its predecessor's role in that
growth, CNSRP's focus on the
future is evident in its clear
projections of what the next 15
years could hold for employment
opportunities.
“I hope that this continuing effort
will provide encouragement that
Caithness and north Sutherland
will remain at the centre of
economic opportunity and
endeavour for many years to
come.”
Pete's 40 years of fundraising
CNC's Pete Shewell has been fundraising for the RNLI for nearly 40 years,
and he doesn't plan on stopping just yet.
He would like to remind you that the
first annual RNLI dance in aid of the
Thurso lifeboat takes place on March
19.
Pete started fundraising at the age of
nine and became a governor of the
charity at the age of 13. He says: ”I
have covered four boats in my time,
ours being the latest, and done
various things to raise money canoeing, abseiling, walking, cycling,
raffles and of course organising
events and helping out at others.
“The RNLI relies solely on donations
to carry out its work at a cost last year
of around £147 million, and with our
own boat costing £2m when she was
built, to run - we need all the help we
can get!
“Please come along and support us,
this has proved in the past to be a
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
fantastic night. No
dancing is required, just
come along for the craic
and a dram.”
You can buy tickets from
Pete or Simone, the
Guard force bag search
area (west side), the
Weigh Inn, the lifeboat
station, or the ticket line
number on the poster.
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16 D O U N R E A Y N E W S
features
Speeding from decommissioning
excellence to racing excellence
Bill Lambie talks to Dounreay News about his hobby, racing cars
“My dad used to race years ago
and I'd go along to watch him as a
kid, Bill explained.
“Since then I've always been into it
and about eleven years ago I
managed to persuade him to start
racing again after he retired.
“We now share the car that we
compete in.
“The car is a factory built
Westfield Megabusa which has
been lightened and stiffened for
circuit use with a number of
modifications.
“The circuits are relatively short,
typically half a mile long and
consist of two or three laps.
“The time at each track varies
between one and two minutes per
run.”
Bill explained: “It's lovely
spending time with my dad and to
share a hobby, even though he
doesn't like being reminded that
I'm faster than him!
“He also does the maintenance
work on the car and prepares it for
each event, which works for me.
“Last year I won The Road Car
Division and Class (A4 - Road
Sports Cars up to 1400cc) of the
Scottish Sprint & Hillclimb
Championship.
“This was a great achievement for
me and I will compete in the event
again this year.
“The car accelerates from 0 60mph in around three seconds,
and is so much fun to drive.
“It is road legal, although it isn't
very usable on the road because
of the low ride height.
“For me the thrill is in the
competing, setting new records
and developing the car.
“I'd like to get into circuit racing
eventually.
“ H o w e v e r, i t i s e v e n m o r e
expensive, so without
sponsorship it'll be difficult for me
to do this – but I'm open to any
sponsorship offers!”
Jamie's sky fall for charity
Jamie Robson would like to thank everyone who supported him for his
sponsored skydive last November.
Talking to Dounreay News about
his experience of falling out of an
aeroplane, he said: “It was a truly
exhilarating experience and I
loved every second of it.
“The first jump was postponed
due to bad weather, so I was
relieved that the conditions were
good enough this time and there
wasn't another journey to Perth
(and worse, a continuation of the
diet) on the cards.
“I'm delighted with the money I
raised and can't thank everyone
who supported me enough
“Would I do it again? Definitely!”
Jamie raised over £1,150 for Cats
Protection (Caithness and
Orkney branches) which will go a
long way to making the lives of
local cats and their owners (if they
have one) a lot easier.
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
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features
D O U N R E AY N E W S
17
Gritting teams work hard to
keep us safe this winter
The Dounreay Estates team are men of many talents, often carrying out
thankless duties in difficult conditions across the site.
The recent spell of sub-zero
temperatures has led to a busy
period, with particular focus on
staff safety following a spate of
slips, trips and falls in icy
conditions.
range, new grout plant, plus the
Thurso to Reay A836 road, on and
off-site car parks, criticality
routes, as well as all pedestrian
walkways on and off site.
There are four technicians in each
team, operating three shift rotas
(day, back, night) with four on rest
days.
They also carry out other duties
such as classified waste
disposal, sewage work, road
sweeping, refilling the 52 site salt
bins and vehicle cleaning.
The team can be called out day or
night for gritting, whenever the
temperature is forecast to dip to
zero or below or when snow is
falling.
Mike Rennie, project supervisor
explained: “The team works very
hard and has to respond quickly
to the changeable Caithness
weather.
They operate two large snow
ploughs, a large tractor and four
small tractors, plus a handler for
loading salt.
“Keeping routes treated and safe
can be challenging and it is our
aim to get everyone home safe
every day and night.
The salt and grit are mined from
underground and are shipped in
from Ireland and Chile.
“The guys are often out in very
cold and miserable conditions
but do a sterling job while
frequently battling the elements.”
The team is responsible for
gritting the Vulcan site, CNC firing
"It is our aim to get everyone home safe"
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
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18 D O U N R E A Y N E W S
features
Getting to know you: Matt Trace
Dounreay News talked to Matt Trace (Executive Assistant, MDs office)
about his life, experiences, and fishing.
What university did you attend,
and what did you study?
I attended Lancaster University
where I studied Law.
What is your work background?
After leaving University I worked
at an insurance company back
home (Plymouth) to save money
to go travelling. I started with
Cavendish Nuclear in 2012 on
their Commercial Graduate
Scheme. Since joining the
company I've completed a variety
of placements in different
locations including working with
the company's Head of Legal;
procurement department and
supporting major bids including a
new build opportunity at Hinkley
Point B.
What are you doing in your role
at Dounreay?
Since starting on site at the end of
September I've been involved
with helping write an induction
handbook for PBO secondees,
supporting the roll out of a revised
performance accountability
meeting structure and
representing DSRL at its annual
NDA Supply Chain Event. I will be
working closely with the MD and
his Executive Leadership team on
a variety of different topics.
What are your ambitions?
I like variety and ultimately want to
end up doing something I enjoy.
I've been living all over the UK in
the last few years and I'd like to
work abroad at some point. I don't
believe in having career plans
which are set in stone but instead
have focused on getting some
really good experience and
improving my knowledge of the
nuclear industry and Dounreay is
the perfect place to do this.
Do you have any hobbies?
I'm a keen fisherman and fished in
France and Canada on numerous
occasions. I also enjoy keeping fit
and when I'm back home in
Devon I enjoy walking and being
by the sea. I also enjoy watching
football and for my sins I'm a
Plymouth Argyle supporter.
What are you enjoying about
being at Dounreay?
Everything… so far! Dounreay
has a really important history and
I've been taken aback by how
passionate people are about the
work they are involved with – it's
infectious. There is a huge
amount of interesting and
challenging work being
undertaken onsite which I would
like to get involved with. It is this
work that's keeping Dounreay at
the forefront of nuclear
decommissioning so it's a great
place to be!
What are you enjoying about
staying in Caithness?
I'm currently dividing my
weekends between travelling
back home to Devon and staying
here and exploring Thurso and
the surrounding areas. The
people I have met are great and
so welcoming and you have
some spectacular scenery which
I'm keen to visit when (if?) the
weather improves. I do need to
buy myself some waterproofs!
Anything else you wish to add?
My favourite film is Gladiator.
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news round-up
IONING EX C
EL
NC
E
DEC
SS
MI
19
LE
DIT looking
for new
recruits
OM
D O U N R E AY N E W S
DOUNREAY
IMPROVEMENT
T
E
A
M
Are you interested in joining the Dounreay
Improvement Team on secondment as a field
co-ordinator?
As some of the current
secondees re-join their project
teams later this year, the DIT team
is looking for people to take their
place.
The role of the field co-ordinator is
varied, with much of the time
spent out of the office visiting
project areas to communicate
DIT initiatives.
If you have a desire to improve
safety behaviours and culture on
site and a willingness to engage
with people, then get in touch with
Raymond Hill ext 2614.
Graduates of today are the
managers and leaders of
tomorrow, so it is important they
gain a wide range of knowledge
and experience whilst on the
Graduate Training Scheme.
DIT continues to visit work teams
in all areas of the site as part of
their engagement with the
workforce.
If any area has not received a visit
and would like to speak with DIT,
please contact the team on
extension 2611.
Apprentices also spend time with
DIT.
All final year apprentices spend
two weeks learning about DIT and
what initiatives are being
undertaken to improve site safety.
As well as interacting with the
team they spend time around site
with colleagues they would not
otherwise get the opportunity to
work with.
A random sample of some of DIT's visits, initiatives and meetings
It also allows DIT to engage with
another group and use them as a
sounding board for current and
future initiatives and ideas.
Starting in February our
graduates will be given specific
tasks to support the work DIT are
doing.
They will have the opportunity to
feed back any ideas of their own
that DIT can take forward.
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
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20 D O U N R E A Y N E W S
news round-up
SUE’S NEWS
Dounreay said goodbye to Pat
Kieran, who retired from DSRL at
the end of January. However, he
will be working one day a week as
STEM ambassador co-ordinator
for Caithness and north-west
Sutherland. We wish him all the
best.
Children of DSRL staff and
contractors were invited to submit
safety themed drawings as part of
a competition to be in the
Dounreay children's colouring-in
calendar 2016.
The competition was judged in
three age groups: up to age 5,
age 6 – 10, and age 11 – 15.
and 4th in each age group and
the 12 winners were invited to
receive their prizes at Caithness
Horizons in December.
Some of the prize winners can be
seen below with their parents and
prizes in the museum's new
DMTR control room exhibition.
Dounreay's Bob Kury, deputy
managing director (far left) and
L o u i s e C a l d e r o f
Communications (far right)
presented the prizes.
After the presentations, children
winners and their families enjoyed
hot refreshments and a wellearned slice of cake.
A panel selected 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Bob and Jackie Johnson would
also like to thank everyone who
gave so generously to the
Caithness FM Toy Appeal at last
December's celebratory lunches.
We raised £2,569.68 which was
Personally Speaking
Donna Wilson who works in the Programme
Office has a huge pet to cuddle and keep her
warm when she gets home.
Torin is a Newfoundland who
has been part of the family for
four years.
He was bought as a surrogate
when Donna's daughter left
home to go to university so it
may be fair to say he could be a
bit spoilt with love; getting fed
chicken and other delights
instead of ordinary dog food.
Vera Mackay would like to say a
huge “thank you” to everyone
who donated pennies to Melvich
School's mile of pennies.
The final figure was well in excess
of £900 which will go to Melvich
Parent Council to purchase
equipment for Melvich Primary
School.
She said: “I can't thank you all
enough for your efforts and
generosity. “Special thanks for
large donations received from the
Dounreay Fire Brigade and also
John Anderson.
On Christmas Eve last year Dawn
and John Sewell's daughter Amy
had her waist length hair cut for
charity. After she was featured in
Dounreay News, she raised
£2,224 (with Gift Aid) for the Little
Princess Trust, who give made-tomeasure wigs to children who lose
their hair. And her cut-off locks
were also given to the charity for
use in a wig. The generosity of
people means that she has raised
enough for six specialised wigs to
be made. John, Dawn and Amy
would like to thank everyone who
donated money.
“Every penny received has been
appreciated. I've received
countless envelopes in the
internal mail with pennies in
anonymously.”
Febr uar y / Mar ch 2016
used to give disadvantaged
children in the community a
Christmas gift. Bob is pictured
receiving a cheque from Bob
Kury and Sheila Mackay.
Newfoundlands were bred as
water rescue dogs but Torin will
not go into water any higher than
his knees, so you couldn't count
on him to come to your rescue in
an emergency.
guard dog as he only barks
when people visit their
neighbour's house and ignores
people who come to his own.
Talking to Dounreay News
Donna said: “We have always
had big dogs, but Torin is the
first Newfoundland we've
owned.
“I'm totally hooked, once I retire I
plan to have more.
“They're definitely addictive”
The family also have a cat called
Stroma and a horse called
Abbey.
For a big dog he is not much of a
If you have an interesting hobby or pet please contact the
Communications team to feature in the site newspaper.
Dounreay News is edited by: Sue Thompson, Dounreay Communications
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