Working together to ensure safety at hydro projects

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Hydro Review; (United States)

OSTI ID:6155272

Bartel, J W ^[1]

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1. Wisconsin Electric Power Co., Milwaukee (United States)

Providing for public safety around a hydroelectric facility can be critically important to the welfare of a hydro-power producer. With this in mind, Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation have worked together to develop consistent safety signage and several for their hydro projects. Although the two utilities sometimes compete for electric customers, they cooperate to ensure the safety to those customers. Both WE and WPS took steps in 1986 to make their operations safer through involvement in the Wisconsin/Michigan Hydro User Group. The organization has 25 members-primarily of electric utilities and paper companies-who operate hydro facilities in the two states. The two areas that the HUG studied in public safety were signs and warning systems. HUG established a sign committee to study how to increase safety of people around hydro plants through signs, explained Ted Handrick, hydro plant superintendent at WPS. The committee's recommendations led to development of a statewide uniform sign system adopted by all HUG members. The committee used Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' guidelines for warning signs and portages in developing the signage standards. HUG members are converting to these new sign standards as they replace old signs and/or install new signs. Notices describing the new signage system have been placed near each hydro plant, at boat landings, and in campgrounds. The signs are mounted well above ground level so they can be seen and easily read by recreationalists. Warning systems, in accordance with HUG warning standards, were installed at WE and WPS hydro facilities. These systems alert nearby recreational users of rapid increases in water flow when generating units are turned on or when spillway gates are opened. Soon after the authors installed equipment to remotely operate its hydro facilities, the utility experienced a dramatic increase increase in intrusion on dams and other structures at the projects.

• OSTI ID: 6155272
• Journal Information: Hydro Review; (United States), Journal Name: Hydro Review; (United States) Vol. 12:3; ISSN HYREE8; ISSN 0884-0385
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
130800* -- Hydro Energy-- Health & Safety-- (1990-)
CIVIL LIABILITY
DAMS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
LIABILITIES
NORTH AMERICA
POWER PLANTS
RECREATIONAL AREAS
SAFETY
SECURITY
USA
WISCONSIN