HSE needs more inspectors for nuclear new build

A shortage of inspectors for the nuclear sector could hamper the government's attempts to deliver new nuclear power plants.

The Guardian reported that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is struggling to recruit up to 50 inspectors to deal with its existing workload as well as the assessment of reactors being put forward to meet the UK's energy needs.

The HSE said it has 160 inspectors, but needs 30 for ongoing work and another 20 for teams working on the design assessments of a new generation of nuclear reactors.

The safety body is launching a recruitment drive to fill the gap, but will face fierce competition as most inspectors with the required level of expertise will have to come from the nuclear industry itself or from naval personnel who have worked on nuclear-powered submarines.

The government wants the first of a new generation of nuclear power stations online by 2017.