Ten Years’ Experience of Live Work Implementation in the Slovenian Electrical Energy Field

Abstract

We have been effectively carrying out live work (LW) in the Slovenian electrical energy field for the last ten years. In January 2009 the first permission to an electrical maintenance worker was issued in Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NEK). We implemented a confirmed system for live work based on the French method. Systematic manuals were prepared for the electrical energy (transmission & distribution) and industrial companies. We successfully trained more than one hundred line and maintenance workers and more than one hundred coordinators from the electrical energy, industrial and service fields. Systematic and independent audits of carrying out LW confirm that electricians consistently use the prescribed and required personal protective equipment (PPE) and tools for safe work. We have reached a notable level of efficiency and effectiveness of carrying out LW. Our main concern in Slovenia is safety and health at work. During last ten years there was not any dangerous situations and no accidents while carrying out LW. Now in Slovenia, we carry out LW on low voltage (LV) and we started on medium voltage (MV) but just cleaning of substation. In Slovenia we still have many challenges ahead of us, mostly to implement the LW method in additional working milieus and use it with the aim to improve electrical energy quality indicators and reduce unnecessary disconnections during preventive planned maintenance works in utilities and process industry. Despite more than 100 years’ experience, our neighbouring countries and other countries worldwide continue with the development of LW methods on all voltage levels, from LV to HV. One of important aim in Slovenia is to carry out LW like a method as a method which supports the “zero accidents” idea. Stakeholders need to promote the safe implementation of LW, so that the safety of LW will be emphasised as much as the economic impacts.