Institution news
Please can you briefly explain your current role and involvement in Nuclear Lifting?
Wayne Dunn (WD): As part of the Facilities Design Authority at Devonport Royal Dockyard, I manage the Mechanical Handling Technical Authority. Our growing team of approximately 30 engineers provide support to mechanical handling assets across the entire dockyard, both within the Licenced Site and the general dockyard. The team includes engineers with mechanical engineering and electrical, control and instrumentation backgrounds.
Our role is to ensure that the design intent of the mechanical handling assets within the operational facilities are maintained through life. As part of this our team provide the engineering support for new or upgraded assets ranging from design, prescribing the maintenance regime, and reporting on asset condition.
What is the number one challenge facing lifting engineers working in nuclear environments at the moment?
WD: I see multiple challenges facing the industry. However, if I were to focus on a single item then it would be ageing infrastructure. While there is significant new investment in the development of new facilities within Devonport, there remains a large number of strategic assets that will be coming to the end of their operational life in the next ten years. Replacement and/or life extension of some of these high integrity cranes will be a significant challenge in the coming years.
Where do you see there being significant developments in lifting technologies over the next 5 years?
WD: The use of technologies with embedded software or programmable elements will become more common in systems that have a claim made on them in the Safety Cases. At Devonport we are formalising our arrangements for the substantiation of computer-based safety systems in-line with guidance contained in the Office for Nuclear Regulation Technical Assessment Guide (NS-TAST-GD-046).
What can engineers expect from your presentation at the event?
WD: I hope that my presentation will give an overview of nuclear lifting at the Devonport site, the complexities and variety of the lifting operations that are undertaken and some of the challenges that we face.
What are you most looking forward to by attending and presenting at Nuclear Lifting 2022?
WD: Being located in the Southwest of the country, Devonport can both appear and feel isolated (the M5 stops at Exeter!). With this in mind, I am looking forward to giving an overview of what is an interesting and complex site with some unique operating challenges. Additionally, I enjoy both meeting and listening to the presentations from engineers working at other sites.
Why is it important for engineers to join this event?
WD: Events such as this give us an opportunity to share knowledge and experience. There are various challenges across the industry, and it is events such as this that provide a conduit for the sharing of knowledge and good practice.