Operations
The Operations Department consists of two operator/mechanics, and two operator/electricians. The power plant operates 24 hours a day; therefore, the manning levels must provide continual coverage. This is accomplished by utilizing a combination of eight-hour and twelve-hour shift rotation (A,B,C and D Shifts). A Relief Operator covers any shift that would require overtime, including filling in for vacations, sick leave, etc.
The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall operations and maintenance of the plant, supervising, training, and scheduling the operations and maintenance staff, plant reporting, troubleshooting, and decision making. He maintains lines of communication with internal and external agencies.
The operators are responsible for maximizing plant output for given conditions, by maintaining proper blade angle and gate openings and running the units at their most efficient settings. Operators have a direct line of communication with the Corps of Engineers (COE), who are responsible for maintaining pool levels to support river traffic. The COE sets the flow rates and the operators coordinate any changes which affect the pool levels such as starting or stopping a unit. Operators make hourly power plant and switchyard inspections of associated equipment, check causes of all alarms and take such action as is necessary to protect service and equipment. They start and stop generators or motors locally or by remote control, adjust voltage, speed and load levels, operate fixed gate hoists and other equipment required for control of all plant equipment or associated features. They keep log records, make power and water calculations, as required, perform maintenance and electrical work and minor construction work on complicated and valuable equipment under supervision of the Maintenance Foreman. They are responsible for the general cleanliness of designated areas in the plant.
All operators are required to participate in a four year operator/mechanic or operator/electrician training program to enhance their understanding of plant operations.
Maintenance
In order to ensure that the integrity of the facility is maintained to provide maximum availability and production, a maintenance staff exists. It is made up of 2 maintenance personnel. They are responsible for maintaining the plant, keeping it clean and orderly, troubleshooting any problems, preventive maintenance inspections, annual plant inspections, general repair, maintenance records and reports, training and safety enhancements, removing trash from forebay, recycling wood products, maintaining, the recreation grounds, being able to make proper decisions in any emergency situations, and they are also trained to be relief operators.
Safety and Security
A Safety and Health Action Plan was implemented for the purpose of establishing guidelines and assigning specific responsibilities for the implementation, and administration of an accident prevention program. The plan consists of Administration and Organization, Emergency Procedures, Training & Education, Medical Surveillance, Identifying Workplace Problems, Correcting Unsafe Conditions, Control and Disciplinary Measures, Accident Investigation, and Specific Safety Requirements. New employees go through an initial Safety and Health Orientation Program. Employees are given certification training in First Aid and CPR by qualified American Red Cross personnel, and take annual refresher training to keep it updated. The Plant Manager is also the Safety Health Coordinator for the project, responsible for providing safety and health training for plant employees, conducting safety and health orientations to acquaint employees with conditions, safe work practices, and procedures, initiating immediate action to correct reported or observed substandard safety and health conditions, conducting periodic safety inspections of the work areas and taking necessary corrective actions to eliminate substandard safety and health conditions, periodic safety meetings, assisting in accident investigations and reports, assisting in the implementation of the Emergency Response Plan, enforcing the Work Rules, and evaluating the safety performance of employees.
The plant is secured by a chain-link fence and electric slide gate to keep out unauthorized personnel. The electric gate has control boxes; one located in the office and one in the control room. There is also an intercom system to allow communication with visitors at the gate entrance. There is a security camera with controls in the control room that allows the operator to see if anyone is at the plant entrance gate, recreation area or warehouse.