Power plants are naturally unsafe work environments because they generate power via complex equipment often run at high temperatures and electrical outputs. As a result, plant employees must strictly adhere to safety procedures to prevent injuries and deaths. When employees act in unsafe ways around large and complicated machines, hot pipes and toxic chemicals, they not only risk harming themselves but also the safety and security of people living in nearby communities. You can make certain that your new power plant is run in a safe manner. Follow these three tips:
Consult With On-Site Experts
Any existing employees or new hires with previous power plant experience and management-level or trainer skills will have the safety knowledge and expertise needed to help all employees follow correct safety procedures. To guarantee that employees follow the same procedures, instruct management and trainers to immediately provide updated safety training. They should cover in detail all equipment, post-shift cleanup and evacuation procedures. Also, instruct them to perform regular risk assessments and follow-up training based on any discovered unsafe employee actions.
Invest in Safe Equipment
It doesn’t matter if your power plant is brand new or older, you need up-to-date equipment that meets federal and other safety regulations to make certain that everyone is following correct safety procedures. For example, you might learn that you need new tanks for a chemical integration system, such as an anhydrous ammonia system. Seek assistance from a company like R.M. Technologies of America that meets all federal and other regulation requirements. Power plant equipment vendors typically offer a range of related services, such as custom conceptual design, fabrication and installation services. Best yet, they normally offer an equipment safety training service.
Seek Guidance From OHSA
Check out the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s OSHA Industry Hazards web page, which is located under “Safety and Health Topics / Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Industry.” This resource provides information about the most common types of hazards. It also provides links to details about past accidents, related statistics and any penalties to plant owners and workers who ignore the rules. Additionally, OSHA supplies links to helpful pages that offer power plant owners procedural guidance.
It is obviously possible for employees to follow correct power plant safety procedures. You merely need to make those procedures available to them from the start. You then need to retrain employees as often as necessary. Lastly, you must repeatedly emphasize directly and through management and on-site safety posters the importance of the rules daily.
Emma is a freelance writer based out of Boston, MA. She writes most often on health and education. When not writing, she enjoys reading and watching film noir. Say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2
