Power Station Work Accident & Injury Compensation Claims

Dangers associated with working at a power station

Electrical hazards

Electric shocks and electrocutions can easily occur when working with and around cables and electrical equipment. However, it is often arc flash related burns that cause the most injuries related to electrical hazards. This is often because, although the person working directly with the electrical source is wearing the correct protective clothing, others working with them, or in the vicinity of an arc flash, are not. Employers need to ensure that all workers are aware of the dangers of arc flashes (which can reach 10 feet from the source), and that appropriate safety equipment, such as voltage-rated gloves and tools, and flame-resistant clothing, is provided to all workers who require it.

Boiler hazards

Working with power boilers is a dangerous task, and boiler operators can easily suffer serious burns if an accident does happen. The biggest causes of injury related to power boilers are operator error or poor maintenance, although burner failure remains the biggest cause of death. Employers have a responsibility to reduce the risks experienced by all workers and must ensure that all boiler operators receive appropriate and regularly updated training and that all equipment is properly tested and replaced as appropriate. For example, all boiler operators need to be aware of detailed start-up/shut-down procedures, all safety devices require proper maintenance and testing and equipment such as flue gas analysers should be used.

Chemical hazards

Workers in power stations are surrounded by a wide range of dangerous chemicals such as corrosives (acids and bases), oxidizers, and solvents. Employers are required to ensure that the storage and use of these materials take into account the risks that they pose to employees. One significant danger associated with hazardous chemicals is exposure to skin, and, as such, responsible employers need to provide emergency showers, face washes, and eyewashes in any locations where workers may come into contact with dangerous chemicals. Not only that, but employers must also make sure that the location of all emergency equipment is clear and properly understood by employees, and that all employees understand how to operate it in the case of an accident. As such, effective and comprehensive training is required for all employees.

Radiation exposure

In addition to the dangers explained above, working in a nuclear power station clearly involves the specific risk of exposure to material that emits ionising radiations. Most workers at nuclear power stations are typically exposed to radiation in the course of their work, with some maintenance workers experiencing higher exposures. Usually, these exposures are at such low levels that they do not represent a significant risk of injury or illness. However, accidents can occur which result in nuclear power station workers being exposed to much higher, potentially very dangerous levels of radiation.

Employers must take all reasonable measures to ensure that employees are protected from these risks.