Power Plants

Power plants burn fuel, split atoms, harness wind or water, or use sunlight to make electricity. Thermal plants (coal, gas and nuclear) combine very hot, high-pressure systems with large electrical equipment, in a setting full of confined spaces and heavy moving parts.

• Plant Operators
• Maintenance
• Outage Contractors

Main hazards

• High-pressure steam and hot water: a leak can scald and kill. Never walk through or touch a suspected steam leak. See Steam Systems.
• Boilers and pressure vessels: see Boilers & Pressure Vessels.
• High voltage and arc flash. See Arc Flash and Power Generation & Distribution Work.
• Confined spaces: boilers, condensers, tanks, ducts and ash hoppers. See Confined Spaces.
• Fuel handling: coal dust, natural gas, fuel oil, ammonia and hydrogen. See Combustible Dust.
• Hot surfaces, noise and heat stress. See Heat Illness.
• Asbestos and silica in older insulation and refractory, and ash.
• Falls from elevated platforms, stacks and roofs.

Controls

• Lockout/tagout and verified isolation for every task. See Lockout/Tagout.
• Use work permits for confined space, hot work and high-energy systems.
• Wear arc-rated clothing, hearing protection, eye and head protection, and respirators where required.
• Follow steam-line procedures: warm up and drain slowly to avoid water hammer.
• Keep housekeeping tight to limit coal dust and fall hazards.
• Use gas detection and ventilation around fuel systems.
• Train for emergency response, including steam release, fire, ammonia leaks and rescue.

Outages and contractors

Planned outages bring hundreds of extra workers on short schedules. Make sure contractors get plant orientation, understand lockout and permits, and coordinate through the plant's safety program. See Contractor Safety in Plants.

Last updated: October 8, 2026