The Generations Ahead category is the annual award in the quarterly Chairman’s Safety Awards, which recognise health and safety innovations at CS Energy.

 

The winning team – known as the Unit C4 HP Heater 5 Repair Team – were recognised for improving the process for repairs to a HP heater, which pre-heats water before it enters the power station boiler.

 

Team member Chris Williams said the idea was born out of the team’s experience of having to weld in a heater, which requires a confined-space Permit to Work. 

 

“Welding the plugs into defective tubes in the heater poses a number of safety issues including risks of heat stress, being in a small confined space, and fumes contaminating the atmosphere,” Mr Williams said.

 

“The team pulled together to come up with the idea of using new plugging technology to repair the heater tubes.  We can now repair a heater more safely and in less time.”

 

In a first for the Callide Power Station, a mock-up of the confined space was used to plan and practice the exercise, as well as ensuring a rescue was possible undertaking the repair work on the plant.

 

The heater repair team took the opportunity to undertake a trial rescue in the heater to refresh their skills on evacuating a member from a confined space.

 

Mr Williams said the evacuation went off without a hitch and focused on the safety of the rescuers as well as the person being rescued.