INSPECTORS have demanded action at Sellafield after it was revealed nuclear safety had been compromised.

Officials found a failure to follow Operating Instructions at the Magnox Reprocessing Separation Plant has resulted in safety breaches.

The report by ONR stated although no harm or release of radioactivity occurred these incidents “compromised” nuclear safety. It said the site was proactive in identifying some of the problems but it was “necessary” to issue the Improvement Notice, which must be complied with by September 30 next year.

An inspector said: “The main area of concern was a failure to follow Operating Instructions, which are measures in place to keep the plant safe. Although no harm or release of radioactivity occurred, these incidents compromised nuclear safety.”

There were 14 occasions in 2014 where safety limits and conditions were breached in the Magnox Reprocessing Separation plant. Bosses have pledged to improve the “shortfalls” with a programme developed prior to the Improvement Notice being served.

An ONR Spokesman added: “Sellafield Ltd acknowledges the importance of good conduct of operations and was already developing a programme of improvements prior to this Improvement Notice being served. ONR welcomes this strong commitment to improve standards at the Magnox Reprocessing Separation Plant.”

A Sellafield Ltd spokeswoman said: “We have acknowledged these concerns and have implemented an improvement programme to rectify them. The ONR has welcomed our commitment to this piece of work. At no point were there any adverse effects to our workforce, the general public or the environment.”

Sellafield Ltd was served with an Improvement Notice by the Office for Nuclear Regulation yesterday because of a number of incidents at a reprocessing plant on the site.