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The power industry encompasses the entire energy production process, from extraction to distribution. It is always critical infrastructure, whether fossil fuels, nuclear power, or renewable energy. Therefore, even a minor safety violation can have far-reaching consequences. Besides, power plants are often vast facilities with many employees.

Nuclear power plants particularly illustrate where a system failure or professional negligence can lead. There are notorious examples of radioactive leaks at the nuclear power plants in Chernobyl, Ukraine, in 1986 or Fukushima, Japan, in 2011, affecting thousands of lives.

In power plants and the power industry in general, people most commonly die due to the following reasons:

1. Electrocution or arc flash contact
2. Electrical and other fires
3. Chemical hazards (e.g. radiation)

In addition, specific types of facilities in the power industry must be prepared to protect their workforce and operations against specific risks:

• Hydropower plants are susceptible to chemical threats and extreme weather, especially landslides. There is also a risk of flooding parts of the facility.
• Nuclear power plants must take account of radiation inside the facility and closely monitor the reactor, especially the cooling system.
• Thermal power plants are characterised by a greater risk of explosions (caused by dust particles, for example) and fires, but also by high noise levels, which must be considered when planning the siren and warning system.
• Even lower safety risks in the case of renewable sources (solar power plants or wind turbines) do not eliminate electrocution or fall.

A functional safety system is a must for the power industry. The key to a warning system is automation, reliability (i.e. having a backup system in case of a software failure), and of course, the quality and coverage of sirens and other warning devices throughout the facility.

The article was written by

Miroslava Malachovska

Miroslava is the marketing manager. She has been working for Telegrafia for more than twelve years. She began as a business department assistant and later worked as an educational centre coordinator. Since her return from maternity leave, she has been working for the marketing department. The experience and knowledge she has gained give her a solid base for the challenging and creative work she is now doing for the marketing department. She loves running, and keeps fit by regular training and preparing for half-marathon competitions.