Engineered for Nuclear Safety & Compliance.
A heavy-duty stillage loaded with radioactive waste containers, engineered for safe transport and compliant with nuclear regulations.
Working with radioactive and high-hazard materials demands uncompromising safety and regulatory compliance. Lowe’s nuclear stillages and cages are purpose-engineered to protect personnel, assets and the surrounding environment, preventing the risk of radiation exposure or contamination. This is achieved through robust structural steel construction, secure locking systems and, where required, integrated radiation shielding to create nuclear-safe enclosures for sensitive materials.
Equally critical is regulatory alignment. UK regulations such as LOLER and PUWER define strict requirements for lifting equipment and its use across industrial environments. Lowe goes further by aligning designs with Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) guidance covering nuclear lifting operations, quality assurance and documentation. In practice, this means every stillage, cage or frame is UKCA or CE marked, inspected and certified for use within nuclear facilities. By combining engineered-in safety with full regulatory compliance, Lowe ensures reliable performance in the most critical nuclear operations.
Key Features of Lowe’s Nuclear Handling Solutions
Lowe’s specialist nuclear material handling equipment incorporates a range of features designed to meet the sector’s exacting standards:
Certified Lifting Design
All stillages and cages are UKCA/CE certified and incorporate rated lifting points designed in accordance with LOLER requirements. Each unit is supplied with clearly marked Working Load Limits (WLL), unique identification plates and safety signage.
Structural Integrity & Analysis
All designs are validated through engineering analysis, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA) where required, to ensure resistance to heavy loads, impact forces and site-specific conditions. Critical welds and structures can be subject to non-destructive testing and proof load testing to verify real-world performance.
Traceability & Documentation
Lowe maintains full material and build traceability for every nuclear stillage or cage produced. Lifetime records, including material certificates, weld maps and inspection reports, are compiled to meet ONR and nuclear site requirements for controlled materials tracking.
Durable Materials & Finishes
Manufactured using high-grade structural steels with options for painted or galvanised finishes to resist corrosion in demanding environments. Designs may include stackable feet, demountable elements or modular interfaces while retaining nuclear-grade robustness.
Shielding & Containment Options
For higher-radiation applications, Lowe supplies lead-lined stillages and shielded enclosures. Integrated shielding materials reduce exposure risks while secure lids, locking systems and seals support safe long-term containment of radioactive materials.
Custom Fit & Function
Every solution is engineered around the application. From nuclear fuel cradles for reactor assemblies to pipework section stillages for large plant components, Lowe designs for precise fit and safe handling. Features such as forklift guides, lifting lugs, access doors, internal restraints and shock-absorbing mounts are incorporated as required.
Supporting safe nuclear operations at every stage
Range of Nuclear Stillages, Cages & Racks
Lowe supplies a comprehensive portfolio of nuclear handling equipment supporting the full nuclear lifecycle:
Fuel Transport Stillages & Cradles
Precision-engineered stillages and cradles for transporting fresh or spent nuclear fuel and fuel casks, providing stable support during lifting and transit with compatibility for standard lifting interfaces.
Waste Storage Cages & Bins
Secure nuclear waste cages and bins for storing and moving contaminated materials, tools or waste drums. Designs accommodate common waste package formats, including 500-litre drums, with secure restraint during all handling stages.
Shielded Containers & Enclosures
Lead-lined stillages and radiation-shielded cabinets for high-activity materials, providing dose protection and regulatory compliance for storage of radioactive sources and waste.
Equipment Racks & Tooling Cages
Controlled-material racks and lockable cages for nuclear tools, instrumentation and sensitive components, supporting ONR traceability and access control requirements.
Lifting Frames & Handling Fixtures
Nuclear-grade lifting frames, spreader beams and transport fixtures engineered for critical lifts. Designs incorporate high safety factors, single-failure-proof principles and certified lifting interfaces.
Where a standard solution is not appropriate, Lowe engineers fully bespoke nuclear containers and frames to suit site-specific requirements while maintaining full regulatory compliance.
Precision-Engineered Stillages & Cages for the Nuclear Industry
Lowe Stillages & Cages has a long-standing reputation within the UK nuclear sector, supplying precision-engineered material handling solutions to some of the country's leading power generation facilities. Our nuclear industry stillages and cages are designed to transport, store, and safeguard high-hazard items and miscellaneous waste in strict compliance with safety protocols and regulatory standards.
Built for Safety, Proven by Certification
In an industry where safety, traceability, and documentation are paramount, our solutions are trusted to perform under pressure. Each product is engineered with CE certification, tested under rigorous conditions, and delivered with full technical documentation to ensure traceability from material selection to final assembly.
Whether you’re moving spent components, transporting hazardous materials, or supporting decommissioning logistics, Lowe products are built to exceed expectations.
Key Features of Our Nuclear Solutions
- CE Certified Designs – Full documentation including ID plates, serial numbers, WLL and traceability records.
- FEA Proven Safety – All units undergo Finite Element Analysis to simulate stress and real-world impact.
- Lifetime Records – Includes weld certifications, inspection reports, material certs, and more.
- Load-Tested Equipment – Verified for safe handling of hazardous and high-weight nuclear materials.
- Durable Finishes – Optional coatings and finishes to extend product life in demanding environments.
Typical Products Used in the Nuclear Industry
- Waste Transport Stillages – Built for internal movement of classified materials and sealed containers.
- Tooling Cages – Lockable storage units for critical equipment and instrumentation.
- Custom Frames for High-Hazard Items – Designed per project specification with controlled access and lifting protocols.
- Shielded Trolleys & Cradles – Designed for the controlled movement of materials across sensitive plant zones.
Our Approach to Nuclear-Grade Engineering
At Lowe, we understand that no two nuclear projects are the same. We collaborate directly with project managers, safety officers, and QA teams to interpret your exact specification. Once requirements are clear, we provide full technical validation through:
Design Reviews & Risk Assessments
Material Selection & Certification
Non-Destructive Weld Testing
Dye Penetrant & Load Testing
Full CE Documentation Pack
FEA Performance Modelling
Our solutions are always aligned with site-specific regulations and industry best practice.
Compliance, Documentation & Safety Standards
Every nuclear cage or stillage we manufacture includes:
LOLER-Compliant Lifting Attachments
Full traceability of welders, inspectors, and materials
Unique identification labels with serial numbers
Drawing references, TARE and Working Load Limits
Quality Procedures aligned with site documentation policies
Inspection records: FAIR, LAIR, and continuous compliance logs
Why Lowe for the Nuclear Sector?
- Over 25 years’ experience supporting high-security sectors
- UK-manufactured, CE-certified products built to nuclear-grade standards
- Complete transparency in build quality, testing and documentation
- Proven supplier to leading UK nuclear plants and decommissioning sites
Engineered Nuclear Stillages for Safety, Compliance & Audit Confidence
Handling radioactive and high-hazard materials is not a general engineering problem — it is a nuclear risk problem. Lowe designs and manufactures engineered stillages, cages and lifting frames specifically for use within nuclear-regulated environments, where failure is unacceptable and scrutiny is guaranteed.
Our stillages are developed to provide controlled containment, predictable handling behaviour and verified structural integrity throughout their working life. Each design begins with a defined design basis covering load case, handling method, lifting interface, operational environment and foreseeable misuse. This ensures that the stillage performs safely not only under normal conditions, but also under abnormal or degraded handling scenarios.
Structural systems are engineered using certified structural steel, controlled weld procedures and defined load paths to prevent distortion, instability or loss of containment. Locking and retention features are designed as engineered controls, not conveniences, with secondary restraint where required to prevent accidental release during lifting, transport or storage. Where radiation shielding or containment enhancement is required, this is incorporated as a defined engineering element with clearly stated scope and limitations.
Regulatory compliance is embedded from the outset. All stillages are designed to meet UK lifting and work equipment requirements under LOLER and PUWER, with additional alignment to guidance issued by the Office for Nuclear Regulation for nuclear lifting operations, quality assurance and configuration control. Each stillage is supplied UKCA or CE marked as applicable, supported by inspection records, certification and traceable manufacturing documentation suitable for nuclear audit and site acceptance.
Crucially, Lowe’s approach goes beyond basic compliance. Our designs are developed to stand up to regulatory inspection, internal nuclear assurance review and long-term operational use, giving duty holders confidence that risks have been identified, controlled and documented. The result is predictable handling performance, reduced operational risk and equipment that nuclear facilities can rely on without ambiguity
Lowe Nuclear Stillage Design & Assurance Framework
Every stillage is delivered under a structured engineering and assurance framework designed to support nuclear safety cases, site acceptance and ongoing compliance.
1. Defined design basis
Each stillage is engineered against an agreed design basis including:
- Safe working load and duty classification
- Handling method (forklift, crane, multi-lift scenarios)
- Operational environment (internal, external, controlled areas)
- Foreseeable misuse and abnormal loading
2. Engineered controls and failure prevention
Designs incorporate:
- Controlled load paths and stability features
- Positive retention and secondary restraint where required
- Defined lifting points and handling interfaces
- Prevention of uncontrolled movement or release
3. Manufacturing and quality assurance
- Certified materials with full traceability
- Controlled welding procedures and inspection
- Dimensional and functional verification
- Serialised identification for lifecycle control
4. Inspection, use and lifecycle guidance
Each stillage is supplied with guidance covering:
- Pre-use and in-service inspection expectations
- Damage acceptance and rejection criteria
- Handling limitations and operating assumptions
- Modification and repair control
5. Documentation for nuclear audit
Delivered as a controlled pack suitable for nuclear environments, supporting:
- Site acceptance
- Internal QA review
- Regulatory inspection readiness
Lowe’s Engineering Approach to Nuclear Projects
Every nuclear project is approached with a structured, engineering-led methodology:
Collaborative Design & Review
Lowe works closely with project engineers, safety teams and QA representatives to define requirements and constraints before developing detailed 3D CAD models and conducting design reviews.
Material Selection & Certification
Only certified, traceable materials are used. Where required, specialist materials such as neutron-absorbing inserts or fire-resistant coatings are incorporated to support safety cases.
Prototype & Analysis
For complex applications, Lowe supports prototype builds and FEA simulations to validate performance under static, dynamic and environmental loading conditions.
Quality-Controlled Fabrication
All fabrication is completed under strict QA/QC procedures by qualified welders using approved welding procedures, with inspection regimes aligned to nuclear standards.
Testing & Validation
Each unit is subject to proof load testing, functional checks and interface trials where applicable. Comprehensive test reports are supplied as part of the project documentation.
Documentation & Approvals
A complete documentation pack accompanies every nuclear product, simplifying site approval and regulatory sign-off.
Compliance, Traceability & Documentation
Every nuclear stillage or cage supplied by Lowe includes a comprehensive compliance and documentation package. This provides nuclear operators with full assurance that the equipment meets all regulatory and site-specific requirements.
UKCA/CE Certification
Formal declaration and marking confirming compliance with applicable UK and international machinery and lifting regulations.
Full Traceability Records
Material certificates, weld inspection records, welder qualifications and fabrication documentation to support ONR traceability.
Identification & Labelling
Permanent ID plates detailing serial numbers, WLL, tare weight and drawing references, with radioactive warning signage where required.
LOLER-Compliant Design
All lifting features designed, tested and documented in line with LOLER requirements.
Inspection & Maintenance Guidance
Clear inspection and maintenance schedules aligned with nuclear site procedures.
Operational Documentation
User manuals and handling instructions for safe and correct operation.
Proven Experience in the Nuclear Sector
Over many years, Lowe has supported clients across the UK nuclear industry, including power generation, research facilities and decommissioning projects.
Decommissioning Site – Waste Storage Stillages
Engineered lead-lined waste stillages designed to safely contain 500-litre waste drums during transport and long-term storage.
Research Facility – Fuel Handling Cradle
Precision-engineered fuel cradle and shielded transport cage enabling safe removal and transfer of irradiated fuel elements.
New Build Nuclear Project – Component Racks & Lifting Frames
Certified lifting frames and equipment racks supporting the storage and handling of critical plant components during construction and commissioning.
Why Choose Lowe for Nuclear Handling Solutions
Deep Sector Experience
Extensive experience working within highly regulated and safety-critical environments.
UK Manufacturing & Quality
All nuclear stillages and cages are designed and manufactured in the UK under ISO 9001 quality management.
Specialist Engineering Expertise
A dedicated engineering team with expertise in nuclear-specific handling, containment and lifting challenges.
End-to-End Project Support
Support from concept and design through fabrication, testing, delivery and post-delivery technical support.
Proven Track Record
Successful delivery of compliant nuclear handling equipment across multiple UK nuclear projects.
Safety-First Culture
Every design decision and fabrication step is driven by safety, compliance and long-term reliability.
