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The Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS), which is part of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is the security regulator for the UK’s civil nuclear industry. It is responsible for approving security arrangements within the industry and enforcing compliance. OCNS also undertakes vetting of nuclear industry personnel with access to sensitive nuclear material or information. It works in close conjunction with policy officials in BERR’s Office of Nuclear Development, with other government departments and agencies, and with overseas counterparts. Through the Standing Committee on Police Establishments (SCOPE), OCNS reviews police numbers and tasking at licensed nuclear sites policed by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.
In the UK, civil nuclear operators must have site security plans dealing with the security arrangements for the protection of nuclear sites and nuclear material on such sites. The arrangements cover, for example, physical protection features such as fencing, CCTV and turnstile access, the roles of security guards and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the protection of proliferation-sensitive data and technologies and the trustworthiness of the individuals with access to them. Transporters of nuclear material also have to be approved by OCNS, acting for the Secretary of State and approval of a transport plan is required before the transport of Category 1 and 2 nuclear material.
The Director of Civil Nuclear Security publishes an annual report on the state of security within the civil nuclear industry and the effectiveness of security regulation.
These reports and further information can be found on the Health and Safety Executive: Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) web page.
OCNS may be contacted at: OCNS.enquiries@hse.gsi.gov.uk
