Wednesday 10 October 2018

Addressing Risk in Thermal Power Stations

Taking a serious note of the occupational health hazards associated with work in coal-fired thermal power plants (CFTPPs) the Honorable Supreme Court of India has asked High Courts to examine – the safety standards, rules and regulations with assistance of the State Governments after calling for necessary reports from CFTPPs situated in their respective States.
Tackling the health burden of air pollution in South Asia
 http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/

A thermal power plant uses coal as fuel for their working. Coal after burning leaves ash. Disposal of this ash is also one important task. Ash is than exposed to open environment and has adverse effects on health of Living beings. And people working under such environment may suffer from various health problems like skin diseases, breathing problem etc. Thermal power stations are also prone to hazards and accidents while maintaining and operating large scale machineries such as boiler, turbine, generator, material handling etc. This work emphases on identification of various occupational hazards and injuries, health risks associated with the manpower working in a thermal power plant.

Thermal power plant can cause environmental impacts at all stages of the process to society. It can also causes various occupational diseases and injuries to the workers working. Each Occupational disease and injury has a major effect on economy due to loss of productive hour, man-power losses, compensation to the victims. Therefore, there is a need to address all occupational diseases, injuries/fatalities through corrective and preventive measures.

There are several kinds of ailments that were recorded in a thermal power plant. These included Allergic reactions that interfered with breathing, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, Lung cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis, wheezing, stroke, Chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, irregular heartbeat, swelling in legs and feet (not caused by walking), skin allergies, High B.P, anxiety, eye irritation and fatigue. In addressing the risk, there are several legal measures which are proposed and regulated by the government and other safety organizations. These measures are essential to be followed up for safe working operation and conditions.

Some common safety rules and regulations that are essential in the power plant to follow up:

•  Factories Act 1948 & M.P. /C.G. Rules 1962;
•  The Indian Boiler Act 1923 & Regulations, 1950 (Amendment 2007)
•  Water Act -1974
•  Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989.
•  Indian Electrical Act 2003 & Rules 1956
•  IS Standards
•  OSHA Standard 1970
•  Third Schedule (See section 89 and 90), List of Notifiable Diseases, The factories Act,1948

Breaches of these laws and regulations generate hazards which can cause the harm by generating; 
•  Unsafe activities
•  Unsafe conditions
•  Behavioural mishaps.


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