A FIRE enforcement notice has been served on contractors building Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power station after inspectors spotted ‘shortfalls’ on the site which put workers at risk of serious injury.

Bylor, a joint venture between Laing O'Rourke and Bouygues Travaux Publics, now has six months to put matters right.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) said it conducted a focused fire safety intervention which identified significant safety shortfalls

The ONR said Bylor had failed to put in place appropriate arrangements for effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring, and review of preventive and protective measures.

Many of Bylor’s buildings on the site were at an advanced stage of construction and the shortfalls resulted in inadequate general fire precautions, including lack of an adequate emergency lighting system.

ONR fire safety inspector Ray Cassar said: “Fire safety is fundamental to protecting workers and the public at nuclear construction sites.

“Our inspectors found that fire safety arrangements at the Hinkley Point C site did not meet the standards we require, particularly given the scale and complexity of the ongoing construction work.

“We also took into account several similar findings from previous inspections.

“We will work with Bylor to ensure they put proper systems in place to manage fire risks effectively and prevent similar issues arising in future.”

Mr Cassar said there had not been any consequences for employees, the public, or the environment as a result of the shortfalls.

However, he said there was the potential for harm and risk of serious injury, which required regulatory action.

Improvements must be completed by June 30.

A HPC spokesperson said: “We are working closely with our main civils contractors Bylor to ensure the appropriate enhancements are made to address the matters identified by the regulator.

“Safety is our overriding priority, and we are already acting to oversee improvements.”