power-generation-utilities 2 min read
Gavin Coyle
Power Generation & Utilities Safety
Managing risk on power stations and utility networks
Managing safety risk on power plants, substations and utility networks, where the margin for error is smallest.
Power generation and utilities work leaves little room for error. These guides cover managing safety risk on power plants and high-voltage utility infrastructure, drawn from Coyle Group engagements on live, energised sites.
1 Article
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a safe system of work on a power plant?
A safe system of work is the documented, authorised procedure that isolates hazards before work starts, keeps them isolated during the task, and returns the plant to service in a controlled way afterwards. On energised assets it revolves around permit-to-work, lock-out tag-out, and a competent authorising engineer.
Who signs off a permit-to-work?
A permit-to-work is issued by an Authorised Person (sometimes called the Sanctioning Engineer) and accepted by a Person In Charge for the working party. Both roles must be trained, appointed in writing, and demonstrably competent for the class of plant involved. Coyle Group provides both the AP capacity and the audit trail that stands up to regulator scrutiny.
How is contractor safety managed on live utility networks?
Contractor safety on live networks is managed through 3 layers: pre-qualification (tickets, insurances, safety record), site induction and permit-to-work discipline once mobilised, and independent auditing during and after the work. Skipping any layer is where most incidents on utility contracts start.
Trusted on energised sites
Coyle Group has supported utility operators on high-voltage networks and substations, including nationwide safe-systems-of-work rollouts.