Health and Safety in Power Plants – How You Can Play Your Part As an Employer
Electricity and power generation is a large part of the UK’s economy and something that we are proud to be able to produce for ourselves and lowering our reliance on other countries for. In the UK there are a number of power stations up and down the country and many working with different fuel sources from fossil fuels such as oil and coal to modern equivalents including nuclear and greener energy sources such as wind farms and wave power.
When working with these materials there are many hazards that will present themselves in the course of working at a power station. As well as the dangers when working with combustible fuels and radioactive materials there is also the inherent risks involved with the product: Electricity.
As an employer you will need to conduct regular risk assessments of your business to prevent any accidents or fatalities. Not only are there workplace issues for your workers how are factory machines made but power stations also pose a significant risk to the nearby residents and greater population which puts even more prominence on the safe operation of your business.
Nuclear power plants are a common feature in the United Kingdom but there are many risks in the workplace that will require specialist safety equipment including protection from harmful radiation and special containers to ensure that the radioactive material is not exposed or likely to be thrown away in error.
Adequate work wear is vital in any power station and this is normally done with overalls and safety boots that have steel toe caps to prevent heavy objects from crushing toes or feet. With some fuel sources there can be hazardous gases and by-products such as dust that can endanger your workforce and in some industries is known to have caused long term illnesses later in life too. It is therefore important that workers and visitors that are exposed to these hazards wear safety goggles, breathing masks or respirators and in cases where there is loud machinery operating, ear protectors too.
With large sites and plenty of potential hazards it is also important that you clearly mark and warn passersby that there are hazards in the product management plan template area by marking them with safety signs, these signs can increase awareness and hopefully avert any potential accidents in your workplace.
So when running a power station or any other industrial workplace you should assess your workplace and try to prevent any accidents before they can occur and have measures in place that can handle these problems efficiently and safely.…