Breakdown at a Nuclear Power Station

In July 2003, during the course of routine maintenance, an accident occurred at a Nuclear power plant in France . Damage was sustained by one of the Control Rod Drive Mechanisms (CRDMs) at the top of the reactor when an automatic machining tool that was being used to prepare the CRDM for installation was being lifted out by crane.

Accidents of this nature carry rigorous and complex Health and Safety requirements and stringent nuclear safety considerations. In this case it was necessary to carry out the repairs manually and in a hostile environment. To comply with the plant's operation and maintenance procedures, two full-scale simulations of the repair methods were required; one prior to the actual repair and one afterwards. These simulated repairs should be consistent in order to ensure that the Health and Safety requirements were satisfied.

RHP's close liaison with the Insured meant that a fair and amicable settlement within the available cover was achieved on this technically complex loss.