Hydroelectric Power Generation

Three Gorges Dam

Hydroelectric power generation has a few associated risks.

One risk that is often overlooked, is the methane that is produced from the water reservoir. Hydroelectric power plants usually require large portions of land to be flooded with water. Algae and other organisms grow in this sitting water. These organisms in turn produce methane. Methane poison is therefore a risk for workers.^[1]

Dam failure is also a risk for workers. This includes collapses and flooding.^[2]^[3]

Occupational health and safety

Physical hazards

Dam failure
Flooding
Collapse
Electrocution

Chemical hazards

Methane toxicity

References

↑ Hydropower May Be Huge Source of Methane Emissions. (2014, October 29). Retrieved March 29, 2017, from http://www.climatecentral.org/news/hydropower-as-major-methane-emitter-18246
↑ Acakpovi, A., & Dzamikumah, L. (2016, December). An Investigation of Health and Safety Measures in a Hydroelectric Power Plant. Retrieved March 29, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5127901/
↑ List of hydroelectric power station failures. (2017, March 05). Retrieved March 29, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hydroelectric_power_station_failures

[1] Hydropower May Be Huge Source of Methane Emissions. (2014, October 29). Retrieved March 29, 2017, from http://www.climatecentral.org/news/hydropower-as-major-methane-emitter-18246

[2] Acakpovi, A., & Dzamikumah, L. (2016, December). An Investigation of Health and Safety Measures in a Hydroelectric Power Plant. Retrieved March 29, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5127901/

[3] List of hydroelectric power station failures. (2017, March 05). Retrieved March 29, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hydroelectric_power_station_failures

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