Discover how people, processes and technical expertise come together to help safely manage complex nuclear operations at Sellafield.

Our Operations, Safety Case & Health Physics Work Experience programme gives you the opportunity to explore three specialist areas that work together to support safe operations at Sellafield.

Throughout the programme, you’ll explore how hazards are identified and managed, how safety cases support operational decision-making, and how Health Physics teams help people work safely around radiological hazards.

You’ll put your learning into practice by developing a simplified safety case for a model nuclear plant scenario before taking part in practical activities in simulated environments.

The programme takes place in a building on the main Sellafield site at Seascale and is suitable for learners in Years 10 to 13. You must be 15 at the time of your placement to obtain the required escorted visitor pass.

• Why choose Operations, Safety Case & Health Physics?

  Safe nuclear operations depend on people with different skills and expertise working together.

  Operations teams need to understand how facilities and processes operate. Safety Case professionals assess hazards and risks and help determine the measures needed to support safe operation. Health Physics teams focus on radiological hazards and how people can work safely around them.

  During your experience, you’ll discover how these areas connect and explore:

  • How hazards are identified and assessed
  • How risks can be managed and mitigated
  • How safety considerations influence operational decisions
  • How radiological hazards are managed
  • How people and human factors influence safe working
  • How teams balance safety, reliability and regulatory compliance

  One challenge. Three perspectives. Discover how Operations, Safety Case and Health Physics work together to support safe nuclear operations.

• What you’ll experience

  Explore Operations: Discover more about process operations, operator safety principles and some of the considerations involved in safely managing nuclear facilities.

  Understand Safety Cases: Learn how hazards can be identified and risks assessed, and explore how engineering or procedural measures can be used to manage them.

  Discover Health Physics: Explore radiological hazards and gain an understanding of the role Health Physics teams play in helping people work safely around them.

  Experience the workplace: Visit buildings on the Sellafield site and gain insight into operational teams and plant conditions.

  Put your learning into practice: Develop a simplified safety case for a model nuclear plant scenario by identifying potential hazards, considering consequences and likelihood, and proposing ways of reducing or managing the risks.

  You’ll then apply what you’ve learned through practical simulated activities. These can include using PPE, contamination control techniques, specialist equipment and Human Performance Tools.

  Share your thinking: Bring your learning together and present your findings to Sellafield professionals, developing your confidence communicating technical information.

• What you’ll gain

  Throughout the programme, you’ll have opportunities to develop technical understanding alongside transferable skills.

  You’ll develop your understanding of:

  • Hazard and risk analysis
  • Safety case principles
  • Process operations
  • Radiological monitoring

  You’ll also have opportunities to develop:

  • Analytical thinking, considering information and reaching conclusions
  • Problem-solving, identifying hazards and considering how risks could be managed
  • Teamwork, working collaboratively with others
  • Communication, discussing and explaining technical ideas
  • Presentation skills, sharing your findings with professionals
  • Time management, working towards a shared outcome

  Most importantly, you’ll see how different technical and operational professions work together, giving you a broader understanding of the career opportunities involved in safely operating a complex nuclear site.

• Careers you could explore

  There isn’t just one career behind safe nuclear operations.

  Your experience could help you discover an interest in areas such as:

  • Nuclear Operations, helping operate nuclear facilities
  • Health Physics, supporting the management of radiological hazards
  • Safety Case, helping understand hazards, risks and the measures needed for safe operation

  Keep exploring

  Not sure which area interests you most? That’s exactly what work experience is for.

  Use your week to experience different professions, meet people doing the work and discover whether your interests lie in operations, safety, radiological protection or another technical career.

• Is this programme for me?

  This programme could be right for you if you:

  • Are curious about how a nuclear facility operates safely
  • Enjoy solving problems and analysing information
  • Want to understand how hazards and risks are managed
  • Are interested in science, engineering or operational environments
  • Like practical activities as well as problem-solving
  • Enjoy working with other people
  • Want to understand more about radiological protection
  • Are interested in careers you may not have encountered before

  You don’t need to know whether Operations, Safety Case or Health Physics is right for you. This experience gives you the opportunity to explore all three areas, understand how they connect and discover where your interests could take you.