Bastrop Energy Center, Owned by Blackstone. Operated by NAES Corp
550-MW, 7FA-powered 2 × 1 combined cycle located in Cedar Creek, Tex
Plant manager: Kelly Fleetwood
Protect plant personnel, visitors with machine guards
Challenge. Protect operators and others against injuries caused by exposed rotating shafts with machine guards.
Solution. Machine guards are your first line of defense against injuries caused by rotating equipment. Each machine must adequately protect from injury employees and contractors in the immediate work area. Bastrop Energy Center identified a potential hazard with the diesel- and motor-driven fire pumps. The shafts on both sides of the pumps were exposed, creating a potential hazard (Fig 1).
Plant personnel fabricated machine guards to cover the exposed areas (Fig 2). Expanded metal guards were used so visual inspection of the packing follower and lubrication of the bearings were possible.
Results. The machine guards installed have protected staff, contractors, and visitors from possible injury.
Project participants:
Brad Miller, lead maintenance technician
David Henderson, mechanical maintenance technician
