A fire enforcement notice has been issued to Bylor JV, the contractor responsible for main civil engineering works at the Hinkley Point C nuclear construction site, after inspectors uncovered serious fire safety shortcomings.
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) conducted a targeted intervention and found that Bylor JV—a joint venture between Laing O’Rourke and Bouygues Travaux Publics—had failed to establish adequate systems for planning, organising, monitoring, and reviewing fire prevention and protection measures.
Many structures at the Somerset site are now in advanced stages of construction. Nonetheless, the inspections revealed insufficient general fire precautions, including the absence of a reliable emergency lighting system throughout several buildings.
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Ray Cassar, ONR’s Fire Safety Inspector, emphasized the critical importance of fire safety at nuclear construction sites: “Protecting workers and the public from fire risks is vital. The fire safety arrangements at Hinkley Point C currently do not meet the regulatory standards expected, especially given the scale and complexity of the work underway. We have also considered recurring issues noted during previous inspections.”
The ONR will continue to work closely with Bylor JV to ensure robust fire risk management systems are put in place to address these deficiencies and prevent future lapses.
This enforcement action is issued under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. While no harm came to employees, the public, or the environment during this period, the ONR identified a clear potential for serious injury, prompting this regulatory response.
Bylor JV must complete all required improvements by June 30, 2026, with interim steps to manage fire risks effectively in the meantime.