Creating a safe environment in the workplace improves employee morale, lowers the risk of accident and improves your business bottom line. The power plant industry has seen a gradual increase in improving safety within the traditionally dangerous environment. Government regulation and increased oversight have contributed to this trend but more improvements are needed to change the overall perception of the industry. Hazards in power plants run from direct contact with electricity, exposure to hazardous chemicals and boiler room accidents.
Integrating a safety program into the culture of the environment helps a plant gain a competitive edge on companies within the same niche and also benefits workers. Happy workers who feel safe perform their job functions effectively. Before you worry about the increased costs of implementing a safety program consider the publicity nightmare and elevated costs of dealing with horrific injuries suffered, or even deaths which occur in some power plants. A death or injury can shut down a project for weeks or months. This lost time means lost money. In the case of an extreme event a project might be scrapped all together.
Power companies generally have safety protocols for both the plant and field. Plant workers operate under dangerous conditions which need to be addressed to ensure their safety. Make safety a priority to boost employee morale and create a positive environment within the plant. Enthusiastic workers are more alert. Alert employees are far more likely to follow safety protocols versus individuals who believe that their employers care little about their well-being.
Contact with Electricity
Thousands of people become injured due to electrical burns or shocks each year in the power industry. Burns from arc flashes and electric shocks are 2 chief causes of electrical injuries. A widespread concentration on safety has vastly reduced electric shock industries in the power industry in recent years. Any workers operating in electrical cabinets must don the proper safety protection. Some power plants require safety reviews for every job profile, electrical hazard and awareness training and that all electrical workers to wear flame-resistant clothing to reduce the risk of electrocution.
Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals
Thousands of people get injured each year in the power industry due to direct contact with hazardous chemicals. Solvents, oxidizers and corrosives can cause nasty burns if workers are careless in dealing with these potent chemicals. Power plant employers should offer training on the effective use of safety equipment as well as the type of equipment to be used and proper identification of hazards in the first place.
Explosions and Fires in Boiler Rooms
A high number of power station workplace injuries occur in boiler rooms. Boiler accidents range from operator error to equipment failure. The horrific injuries which are caused by boiler explosions can be lowered by placing strict protocols in place. Become proactive by focusing on prevention. Upgrade outdated boiler equipment, test and maintain safety devices and train operators to create a safe environment and reduce the risk of boiler accidents. Lower the likelihood of boiler explosions and fires by focusing on these core activities.
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