Between 1955 and 1993, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's (UKAEA'
s) site at Dounreay, with its development of fast reactor technology, was v
ery much a pioneering R&D establishment. Now Dounreay's task is to restore
its environment through the decommissioning of its facilities, the remediat
ion of its land and the management of wastes, particularly radio-active was
tes. As the site licensee, UKAEA must be able to demonstrate that all its a
ctivities are carried out safely, environmentally responsibly, and cost-eff
ective. This paper summarizes how it is intended to manage safety and envir
onment at Dounreay in the future through a safety and environment managemen
t system as an integrated part of the site managment system. The responses
to the key concerns raised by the Nuclear Installations inspectorate's rece
nt audit are used to illustrate the intended approach.