In Desnogorsk, the chief engineers of nuclear power plants discussed ways to achieve zero injuries

At the Smolensk nuclear power plant, a large-scale seminar-internship on labor protection was completed, which brought together the profile leaders of the Rosenergoatom Concern, chief and functional engineers of nuclear power plants in Russia, including the Bilibinsk, Kola, Leningrad, Leningrad NPP-2, Novovoronezh, Rostov and Smolensk sites, as well as a floating nuclear power plant. The event was also attended by representatives of subsidiaries “Smolenskatomenergoremont” and “Smolenskatomtehenergo”. The main purpose of the meeting was the exchange of best practices and the dissemination of effective practices aimed at effective management of industrial risks, improving workplace safety and minimizing the likelihood of errors both for own staff and employees of contractors.

During the event, the chief engineers presented reports on the key areas of improving the labor protection management system at Rosatom enterprises. Such aspects as identification and work with precursors of dangerous personnel actions, video recording and analysis of production processes, digitalization, automation, as well as technical and organizational measures to prevent injuries were discussed. Director of the Smolensk nuclear power plant Ivan Sidorov emphasized that the safety of personnel should remain an absolute priority for any leader. He stressed that there are no trifles in labor protection, and any observed violation must be immediately stopped, since this can save the employee’s health and life. Particular attention was paid to the importance of the leadership position of the leadership staff.

The seminar participants noted that the most important component of the labor protection management system is the conscious attitude of employees to their own safety. A number of stations of the Concern have already implemented tools for managing the prerequisites of unsafe behavior, allowing employees to assess potential risks taking into account their physical and psychological state before starting work. Modern digital systems play a significant role in this process, including mobile video recording using individual video recorders and video analysis based on artificial intelligence to detect violations, including when using personal protective equipment. Chief engineer of the Smolensk nuclear power plant Alexey Leshchenko added that preventive viewing of video recordings helps staff to critically assess their own actions and clearly see how not to perform similar work, which goes beyond the simple investigation of already occurred incidents.

Theoretical discussions were supported by practical production bypasses of power units, where participants were able to personally evaluate the work of the presented tools. They monitored the performance of work on electrical equipment, paying close attention to the functioning of the well-accepted system, the correctness of the use of protective equipment and the organization of workplaces. A number of practices of the Smolensk NPP were recognized by colleagues as extremely positive. In particular, the use of electronic keys for doors of electrical rooms, providing reliable access control and fixing the facts of opening in the system, was highly appreciated. The practice of locking the protective curtains of switchgear cells with special locks with individual keys was also positively noted, which guarantees the removal of the lock exclusively under the control of administrative and technical personnel. Participants also recognized the regulations developed at the station for conducting targeted briefings before the start of rounds and at the entrances to production zones as a useful tool.

The chief engineers also noted the exemplary cleanliness and order in the production areas, the relevance of the use of LED lighting, the installation of additional handrails on the stairs and the overall safety of personnel routes, which is facilitated by the implemented system of reporting the identified risks from all station employees. Deputy Inspector General and Chief Inspector of Rosenergoatom Concern Andrey Mozhginsky said that one of the strategic goals of the organization is to achieve zero injuries at work. Internship seminars have long proved their effectiveness as the best way to exchange knowledge and symbiosis of technologies with methodological approaches, allowing to distribute successful solutions of each nuclear power plant among colleagues for joint achievement of high safety standards.

Such professional dialogues clearly demonstrate that the integration of modern digital technologies and strict organizational regulations creates a reliable foundation for the prevention of occupational injuries. Strengthening the role of managers, combined with the personal responsibility of each employee, forms the very atmosphere of openness and trust, which the Head of Rosatom Alexey Likhachev calls a key factor in the development of a culture of safe behavior. In the end, the systematic exchange of best practices between nuclear power plants not only eliminates the human factor, but also sets new industry standards for quality and reliability in modern nuclear power.