Competition under voltage. High-voltage electricians from all over the region competed in professional skills in Vitebsk
Four teams competed for the title of the best in their field: Vitebsk, Polotsk, Glubokskoye, and Orsha power grids. The competitions were held at the training center of RUP Vitebskenergo, equipped with everything necessary for electricians to demonstrate their skills.
The professional skills competition included six stages, each approximating real-life situations that repair crews encounter.
The first stage was theoretical, testing knowledge of current rules and instructions on a personal computer.
The second task involved freeing a victim from electric shock on a metal anchor support of a 110 kV high-voltage line and providing first aid.
The third, fourth, and fifth stages involved performing repair work to replace defective equipment using special machinery and mechanisms. In the final, sixth stage, participants had to extinguish a fire in the protection zone of a 35 kV power line when a wire fell to the ground.
Some situations are encountered by electricians constantly, while others are extremely rare, but in all cases, the quick elimination of malfunctions and human life depend on the clear and coordinated actions of the team.
Perhaps the most critical stage is related to rescuing a victim from electric shock. As explained by Nikolai Shlyk, lead engineer of the reliability service at Vitebskenergo, every second counts here. Therefore, the judges very strictly evaluated the participants' actions.
The profession of an energy worker is dangerous and responsible. One must be prepared for any situation and know how to properly bring a victim down to the ground and perform resuscitation. All actions must be performed automatically, without delay, because a comrade's life is at stake.
– The purpose of such competitions is to improve the quality and safety of repair work performed by personnel, to check the level of training, to demonstrate advanced methods and techniques, devices, tools, and equipment. Here, electricians hone their professional skills and get a boost of positivity. After all, the reliability of the energy system depends on the professionalism of the teams, – noted Sergey Posokhov, chief judge of the competition, deputy chief engineer of RUP "Vitebskenergo".
Each team includes both young specialists and experienced professionals. They prepared thoroughly for the competition, both at home and at the Vitebsk training ground.
The judging panels included heads and specialists from structural divisions of the management apparatus and branch networks. All noted the high level of training of specialists who have to work in difficult conditions: at high altitudes, in various weather conditions, at any time of day, in hard-to-reach places where equipment must be carried by hand.
High-voltage line maintenance team competitions are held every three years and precede the republican ones, which will take place in June in Brest. The winners of the regional tours will take part in them.
Vitebsk region will be represented by the team of the "Glubokoe Electric Networks" branch, consisting of foreman Alexey Romashko, electricians Alexander Malei, Gennady Isoitko, Vitaly Chirvonogo, and Alexander Rachitsky.
The second place was taken by the team from Polotsk Electric Networks, and the third by the team from Vitebsk Electric Networks.