Occupational Accidents in the Energy Sector: Analysis of Occupational Accidents that Occurred in Thermal and Hydroelectric Centrals Between 2002 and 2010 in Turkey

Abstract

Work accident is a phenomenon which occurs suddenly and then creates negative effects. Work accidents happen in energy sector as other sectors. Thermal and hydroelectric plants exploited in world energy sector play a crucial role in power generation. Lots of work accidents occur in thermal and hydroelectric plants during power generation and the negative results affect all the surrounding places. In this study, work accidents which occurred between 2002 and 2010 in thermal and hydroelectric plants playing a crucial role in power generation in Turkey were analyzed, evaluated and interpreted. In this analysis, the year 2002 was taken as the basic reference and the work accidents in the following years were evaluated according to the reference year. The number of deaths, number of continuous physical disability resulting from the work accidents in plants, reasons of the accidents, the injuries resulting from the accidents, educational status of the employees and similar issues were numerically analyzed. It was determined that a great number of work accidents occurred in plants resulting from industrial works and continuous physical disability and deaths occurred as a result of these works. Moreover, various recommendations were made in order to take the necessary precautions towards preventing the work accidents in these plants.