A nuclear consortium has reached a momentous milestone.

Cumbria Nuclear Solutions Ltd, a partnership of James Fisher Nuclear Ltd, REACT Engineering Ltd, Shepley Engineers Ltd, Jacobs Field Services Ltd, Westinghouse Electric Company and WYG Engineering Ltd, have achieved a million hours without a lost time accident.

The consortium's 450 staff began work on the 10-year Decommissioning Delivery Partnership in 2016.

CNSL is the first of the six Lot Delivery Partners to reach the million hours milestone.

Jack Tomlinson, safety hub lead for CNSL, said: “We make sure that everyone realises that each one of those statistics is about friends and family and colleagues. They are not just numbers, they are about making sure that everyone is safe, and we are collectively trying to work in the right way.

“A good safety record does not happen by accident. It’s about teams collaborating and staying motivated around health and safety.

"What makes the difference between a good team and a great team can be an excellent safety record.

“The effort the individuals put in to ensure we go home safely is often tireless. It’s a massive achievement for the operatives, supervisors and all support teams across the board.”

CNSL worked on the Calder River Fence Project which at one stage involved completing 30,000 hours a month, with 150 people working on river banks to ensure the perimeter fence was built.

Phil Redfern, CNSL director said: “It’s testament to the collaboration between the six partners that CNSL is the first to reach this milestone on the DDP at Sellafield.

“All six partners have a really good health and safety culture. It’s a core part of all our values and our ethos.

“We are really proud to have reached this milestone together."