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OPINION

By Enock Kusasira

In the realm of electricity generation, safety stands as a critical concern, dictating the practices and protocols that power industry professionals adhere to daily.

The generation of electricity involves complex processes and machinery which, if not handled with care and precision, can pose significant risks to both personnel and the surrounding environment.

Imagine a situation where an employee goes to work, walking on two legs and, all of a sudden, their loved ones are invited to the country’s emergency facility to attend to a severely injured person hoping on one leg! In the worst of circumstances, even death could occur.

As such, fostering a culture of safety within the electricity generation sector is not merely a choice but an absolute necessity.

At the beginning of the month, Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited, UEGCL launched the Safety For Station (S4S) campaign at Isimba Hydropower Plant.

The campaign is geared towards enhancing safety at all UEGCL-run power plants and offices plus actioning the company’s health and safety policy. It will focus on areas that are rated vital in ensuring safe practices at the station such as adherence to safety practices and procedures, ensuring that you are only safe when others are safe, etc.

This campaign will further emphasise the implementation of rigorous training to all stakeholders involved in UEGCL business processes as one of the fundamental aspects of ensuring safety in electricity generation. From engineers and technicians to maintenance staff and operators, everyone must receive comprehensive training on the potential hazards associated with electricity generation and the best practices for mitigating these risks.

Regular training sessions and drills play a pivotal role in keeping safety protocols fresh in the minds of employees and ensuring that they are prepared to respond effectively in case of an emergency.

Moreover, the maintenance of equipment and machinery used in electricity generation is critical for preventing accidents and ensuring the smooth operation of power plants. For instance, a poorly maintained governor system of a generating unit is a recipe for disaster when it comes to the workers and entire work station. This can be in form of increased temperatures which would in turn cause exhaustion of the staff and culminate in a fire outbreak.

The arbiter lies in regular inspections, testing and strict adherence to maintenance schedules so as to identify and address any potential issues before they escalate into safety hazards.

Faulty equipment not only jeopardises the safety of staff but also has the potential to disrupt the continuous supply of electricity to customers. This highlights the nexus between safety and reliability in the power industry.

At the core of this herculean campaign, is the sacrosanct onus of establishing robust safety guidelines and protocols for maintaining a safe working environment in electricity generation facilities.

Clear procedures for handling hazardous materials, responding to emergencies and conducting risk assessments are essential components of a comprehensive safety management system. Regular safety audits and reviews can help identify areas for improvement and ensure that safety standards are consistently upheld across all levels of the organisation.

Furthermore, fostering a culture of safety requires the active participation and commitment of all stakeholders, from top management to frontline workers.

Encouraging open communication, reporting of near misses and sharing lessons learned from safety incidents can help create a safety-conscious environment where employees feel empowered to take ownership of their own safety and that of their colleagues.

It is imperative that organisations support the growth of safety culture by recognising and rewarding individuals and teams that prioritise safety.

This would in effect reinforce the importance of safety as a core value within the organisation.

In this safety enhancement campaign (Safety4Station), UEGCL’s major emphasis is that safety is not just a directive but a commitment — a commitment to prioritising the well-being of every individual who sets foot in our stations. Safety is not just a policy, it is a culture that we must cultivate every day.

As we harness the power of water to create electricity, we must also harness the power of diligence and caution to ensure that each task is executed with precision and care. The goal is not only to generate electricity but to do so in a manner that leaves no room for error or oversight when it comes to the safety of our team and the equipment.

Ultimately, the commitment to safety in electricity generation is not just a regulatory requirement but a moral imperative that safeguards lives and equipment, protects the environment, and upholds the integrity of the power industry as a whole. “We either do it safe or we don’t do it.”

The writer is the head of communication and corporate affairs at Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd