FIVE companies helping to build Hinkley Point C nuclear power station have been served with fire enforcement notices.

The action comes after the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) identified ‘significant fire safety shortfalls’ on the construction site.

Mechanical, electrical, heating, and ventilation and air conditioning work is overseen by an alliance of five organisations, which have been issued the notices: Altrad Babcock, Altrad Services, Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick, Cavendish Nuclear, and NG Bailey.

ONR officers inspected a unit in December in a targeted inspection assessing fire safety arrangements for compliance with regulations.

Inspectors found several significant shortfalls, including the absence of a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, inadequate means of escape, insufficient emergency exits available, and a significant accumulation of combustible materials within an emergency exit route staircase.

The enforcement action requires improvements to ensure adequate arrangements are developed and embedded to address the shortfalls in compliance and prevent reoccurrence.

ONR head of regulation Mahtab Khan said: “Fire safety is an important part of our regulatory activity and is not optional.

“It is a legal requirement that protects lives.

“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action where safety standards fall short, and we expect all duty holders to treat fire safety with the urgency it demands.

“Working alongside the principal contractor and MEH alliance, we have made good progress in understanding the root causes of these shortfalls to ensure they are addressed.”

There were no consequences to employees, the public, or the environment as a result of the shortfalls.

However, ONR identified the potential for harm and risk of serious injury, which required regulatory action.

A Hinkley C spokesperson said: “We are working closely with our contract partners 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.”