AXIOM operations: 10 million hours without a lost time accident occurring
By Dave Mason
Published in Nuclear Future 21.5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.63198/VZJW3593
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SUMMARY
- AXIOM Overview & Mission: AXIOM is a joint venture between Amentum, Mott Macdonald, and Assystem, providing nuclear design and engineering services to Sellafield Ltd. It aims to improve safety, risk reduction, and lifecycle value-driven design, particularly within the nuclear decommissioning sector.
- Safety & Governance: AXIOM has a strong safety culture, with 10 million accident-free hours, health & safety forums, and ongoing engagement. Projects are rigorously assessed for risks, and mitigation strategies are embedded into design processes.
- Health & Wellbeing Initiatives: AXIOM has implemented employee assistance programs, mental health support, and wellness initiatives, including surveys, a wellbeing forum, and a focus on improving working patterns post-COVID-19.
- Notable Projects & Innovations: Key projects include the Box Encapsulation Plant (BEP), which handles hazardous nuclear waste with robotic systems, and the Ventilation Extract System Upgrade, which uses laser scanning to improve safety and reduce risks during plant upgrades. Additionally, AXIOM has developed a new process for managing asbestos contaminated with alpha radiation.
LEAD AUTHOR
David Mason is the Founder and Director of DMA Safety Management Ltd, trading as Inspire Safety ,a consultancy delivering strategic health and safety leadership across high-hazard sectors including nuclear, defence, and construction. A Chartered Member of IOSH and CMI, he has held senior roles at Travis Perkins and Electrocomponents PLC, where he led global safety transformations across 27 countries. His career began with British Nuclear Fuels Ltd at Springfields as an apprentice, completing his time in the design offices and then transferring to Sellafield, culminating in the role of Assurance Manager for Windscale Operations. He has supported AXIOM and the DSA for the last seven years supporting all the partner organisations.