An overview of some of the main hazards facing contractors working within the Power Industry, with tips surrounding how to avoid them.

1. WWW.NESGT.COM
BE SAFETY
SAVVY
Tips from NES Global Talent

2. BE VIGILIANT
You must always follow the proper advice and
guidelines given by your employer on-site and
follow their outlined procedures as instructed
in your site safety orientation.
The following is for general informational purposes only.
Working in an industrial setting
can present a hazardous daily
environment.

3. THE IMPORTANCE
OF PPE//
It’s there for a reason:
PPE aims to protect workers
against health and safety
risks posed by their work
environments.
Through proper use of PPE employees
reduce their exposure to hazards that
cannot be prevented through engineering
and administrative controls alone.
Injuries can affect:
• the lungs (breathing contaminated
air)
• the head and feet (from falling
objects)
• the eyes (flying particles or
splashes of corrosive liquids)
• the skin (contact with corrosive
materials)
• the body (extreme temperatures)
Effective use of PPE will
significantly reduce your
health risks!

4. POTENITAL
DANGER//
DIRECT
CONTACT
WITH
ELECTRICITY

5. When powerful high-amperage currents travel
through the air. This can occur when high voltage
differences exist across a gap between conductors,
resulting in the release of huge burst of energy.
Electricity can cause two types of burns:
• Electrical burns from direct contact
with current
• Thermal burns from arc flashes
and blasts

6. Unreported cases and “near misses”
are much greater in number
Arc flash burns result in nearly 75% of all
electrical work injuries
Around 5-10 arc flash explosions occur in
electric equipment every day in the United
States, resulting in injuries so severe the victims
require treatment from a special burn centre

7. Those most at risk from burns are often
workers who do not have direct contact with
electrical cabinets.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Arc flashes can travel several feet
in distance
• Temperatures can easily exceed
15,000°C.

8. Reduce the Risk
Can jobs be scheduled so that
power sources can be
de-energized, grounded and tested
in order to eliminate the hazard?
Can an outdated / worn electrical
equipment be removed from
service or can a newer safer model
replace it?
Restrict Access
Dangerous areas should be
segregated from all but necessary
personnel - locked electrical vaults
and high fences placed around
transformers are essential.
ELECTRICITY//
STAY SAVVY
Up-to-date-Training
Avoid complacency; embody a
pro-active culture where safety is of
paramount importance.
Everyone from senior management to junior
levels must be responsible for both
themselves and the safety of others and must
act to minimise risks. Managers should
perform regular reviews of each job profile and
deliver frequent refresher training for all
personnel to ensure standards are not only
maintained, but exceeded.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
This is designed as the last ‘stage’ of
protection, but is imperative nonetheless.
Insulated gloves, fire resistant clothing and
face shields should be worn when working on
energized electrical equipment.

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10. POTENTIAL
DANGER//
CHEMICAL
EXPOSURE

11. Corrosives, oxidizers and solvents are
commonplace in Power stations.
• Unloading, screening and crushing are
considerably the most hazardous stages in the
processing of indigenous biofuels.
• Organic dust including actino-bacteria, bacterial
endotoxins and fungi can cause serious health-
risks if precautions are not taken.
It’s not just burns or respiratory problems that can be
caused by chemicals: spillages increase the risk of
slip and fall injuries which are thought to be the
third-leading cause of industrial workers’ injuries.

12. BUT it is down to
individuals to:
• Identify what hazards exist and
therefore what type of safety
equipment should be used
• Implement / undertake
sophisticated training on how to
minimize exposure risk and on
proper use of safety equipment
• Perform regular testing and
maintenance on chemical-related
equipment
• Dispose of chemicals safely
• Ensure the correct use of PPE at
all times
Regulatory bodies
(such as OSHA)
provide the
foundation in
understanding
potential hazards…

13. Air Flow
Appropriate ventilation should be in
place to minimize chemical exposure.
Local exhaust systems (in the form of
a hood or otherwise) should be
capable of at least 8 to 10 air
change-outs per hour to prevent
compromised air supply.
Housekeeping
Floors should be kept clean and dry to
prevent slips and associated injuries.
Dedicated facilities for discarding
clean-up materials should be provided
and reinforced as part of the waste-
disposal procedure.
CHEMICALS//
STAY SAVVY
Up-to-date-Training
There must be a formal chemical hygiene plan in
place which educates staff on how to avoid
exposure to hazardous chemicals and how to
dispose of them properly.
Spillages - spill prevention strategies, containment
procedures, ventilation, when to evacuate, how to
obtain medical care and reporting requirements
should be covered in full.
Safety Measures
Eyewash stations, drench showers, fire
extinguishers and first aid kits should be
maintained and be readily available to assist in
medical emergencies and immediately lessen the
effects of chemical exposure.
Ensure all signage is clear and that items are
correctly labelled, detailing proper handling, use
and disposal procedures.

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15. POTENTIAL
DANGER//
BOILER
FIRES &
EXPLOSIONS

16. Equipment failure and/ or operator error can
lead to disaster – mistakes made with
furnaces can be catastrophic.
Pressure waves caused by furnace explosions
can be of such force that they will bend and
even split their heavy steel casings.
If boiler tubes rupture, high pressure steam and
water can be released at violent speeds.
In addition to the risk of serious industry,
machinery repairs are expensive and the
resulting downtime can been lengthy,
severely disrupting the workforce.

17. • Certain points in the cycle pose
more danger - when the boiler is
being started, if it’s operated at less
than full capacity and during shut
down are when conditions are at
their most vulnerable.
• Poor coal quality risks incomplete
combustion and/or the flame going
out completely. This in turn allows
unburned coal particles to settle –
over time the accumulation of coal
can form an explosive mixture
when combined with the right
amount of air.
BOILER EXPLOSIONS//
POTENTIAL CAUSES
• Incorrect fuel-to-air ratio
During operation, coal and air is
introduced into the furnace at
carefully measured rates to
sustain the correct fuel-to-air
ratio, enabling the release of
heat energy from the coal at a
safe and controlled rate.
If this ratio isn’t precisely
maintained, conditions may be
right for an explosion to occur
where a minor ignition source,
such as hot ash or static
electricity, can result in a furnace
explosion.

18. Three key components of training
should surround:
• Operating
• Maintenance and testing of
safety devices
• Upgrading equipment when
necessary
BOILERS &
FURNACES//
STAY SAVVY
Boiler Operator Training
Ensure you are equipped with ample
knowledge to safely control the
combustion process – refresher training
should be undertaken frequently.
Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Routine checks that locate and repair /
replace necessary boiler components
vastly reduce the threat of furnace
explosions. Simple measures such as
check lists are an effective way of
ensuring that nothing is missed.
Follow Industry Guidelines
The National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) Boiler and Combustion Systems
Hazards Code aims to give comprehensive
guidance on operating safety and the
prevention of fires, explosions, and implosions
of coal fired boilers.
The design, build and operation of boiler
fuel handling systems, air handling
systems, and combustion control
systems all need to be undertaken in a
precise, controlled manner.

19. www.ecmweb.com/content/preventing-arc-flash-incidents-workplace
www.zgsteamboiler.com/faq/how-to-prevent-steam-boiler-explosio.html
www.engineeringexpert.net/Engineering-Expert-Witness-Blog/coal-fired-boiler-explosions
www.lni.wa.gov
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0961953416302276
www.power-eng.com/articles/print/volume-109/issue-6/features/power-plant-safety.html
OVERALL… BEING SAFETY SAVVY means that
you’re aware of the potential risks of your working environment
and take measures to prevent any such incidents from occurring
by adhering to best practices and ensuring your safety training is
both regularly refreshed and up-to-date.
REFERENCES
DON’T BECOME COMPLACENT.

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