DTEK ENERGY is raising the level of occupational safety at its plants. Laser and video barriers have been installed on reversible belt conveyors at the Pavlogradska CPP. These devices react when someone enters the restricted area and stop the operation of equipment. This is how they protect the lives and health of employees.
More than 50 belt conveyors with a total length of more than 2.5 km are used at the coal enrichment plant. They are used for transportation of raw coal, rock, coal concentrate, and production waste. Working near moving machinery is especially dangerous, so it requires attention and compliance from the employees operating it. Warning signs and fences do not always help avoid injury.
A laser barrier has been installed at the coal concentrate loading area, which monitors more than 100 meters of the conveyor. If an employee crosses the laser beam that runs along the entire conveyor, an audible and light alarm immediately goes off, and the transport chain will stop.
‘These barriers serve as additional protection and discipline. They make me and my colleagues feel safer. A human factor when someone breaks the rules, either intentionally or through ignorance, must always be taken into consideration at production sites. The new protection system will save the lives and health of careless colleagues. DTEK ENERGY is a responsible and reliable company that cares about its employees. And if someone does not care about their well-being, the latest technology we use does it for them,’ said Nataliia Litvinova, a Conveyor Machine Operator.
Video barriers were installed in the production areas with several control zones. A video camera with a SMART function controls the restricted perimeter when the reversing conveyor is in operation. When the smart camera detects the presence of people in the danger zone, the system stops the equipment and activates an audible alarm. In addition, a photo of a negligent employee is automatically e-mailed to the occupational health and safety department. An employee breaching the safety rules can be subject to disciplinary sanctions.
‘The objective of this project is not to punish people, but rather keep them out of trouble. After all, reducing employee injury rates is a priority for DTEK, so the company spares neither money nor time to implement such projects. We plan to continue installing barriers on conveyors because we see that it works!’ noted Maksym Izhboldin, Deputy Chief Engineer at the Pavlogradska CPP.
Since the beginning of the year, Pavlohrad coal enrichment plant has processed and sent to TPPs more than 3.7 million tonnes of coal. This fuel is the guarantee of the reliability of the entire energy system of Ukraine, in particular, during the preparations for the autumn and winter season.