Customer
AEP
Location
Hess Station, West Virginia
Highlights
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Switching Error Averted Through Label Verification -
Model for Interdepartmental Risk Mitigation -
Catalyst for Broader Labeling and Diagram Audits
Avoiding Switching Hazards Through Accurate Cabinet Labeling at Hess Station
The Challenge
During a walk-through of the switching station at Hess Station, a field technician observed that a cabinet labeled “Potential Cabinet” was not included in the official switching order. This created a potential safety concern: If misunderstood, unlabeled or mislabeled equipment could either be wrongly energized or skipped during clearance procedures.
The ambiguity required immediate clarification, particularly because such mislabeling could result in:
- Unintended exposure to energized components
- Improper clearance issuance
- Risk to worker safety during switching and maintenance
The Solution
The issue was escalated to the Transmission Dispatch Center (TDC) for verification:
- TDC reviewed the one-line diagram, identifying the cabinet as a CCVT (Capacitor Coupled Voltage Transformer), which does not back feed.
- The clearance was delayed until multiple departments validated the cabinet’s function, confirming that it was safe.
- The cabinet was temporarily relabeled “CCVT Cab” on-site to prevent confusion, with plans for permanent relabeling to follow.
Key Benefits
- Improved Label Accuracy: The event exposed the need to align physical labels with one-line diagrams to ensure operational clarity.
- Risk Avoidance: The delay and verification process ensured no assumptions were made, preventing a possible switching error.
- Enhanced Interdepartmental Collaboration: The resolution required clear communication between field personnel, dispatch, and engineering.
- Process Improvement Opportunity: Triggered follow-up for broader station labeling audits and updates.
The Results
- The mislabeled cabinet did not lead to any incident, thanks to proactive identification and verification.
- The event is now cited as a lesson in labeling consistency and communication before clearance execution.
- The temporary label served its purpose until a permanent fix could be applied, keeping field operations aligned with control room documentation.
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