GENERAL RISK ASSESSMENT REPORT CARRIED IN

TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA

CALABAR SUB-REGION.

AYANDA DEMILADE ISAAC

NSE\CRS\SEPT\130

SUBMITTED TO NOVELLE CENTER OF HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT,

CALABAR
INTRODUCTION
A Risk Assessment is an important tool for the Management of Transmission Company of
Nigeria to use in evaluating the security and safety of the Facilities that they manage, and in
determining the potential for loss or harm to organizational staffs, operations, mission, and
stakeholders. The risk assessment provides management with the capability to:
• Provide an adequate level of protection for staffs and the facility.
• Meet Federal requirements for Electricity Regulatory Bodies and Staff welfare.
• Satisfy oversight organizations.
• Establish an acceptable level of risk.
• Advice management at all levels
• Monitoring and Compliance
• Enforcement of the Legislations
This is to ensure levels of risk and uncertainty are identified and then properly managed in a
structured way, so any potential threat to the delivery of outputs (level of resourcing, time, cost
and quality) and the realization of outcomes/benefits by the Business Owner(s) is appropriately
managed to ensure the health and safety of the staffs.
This Risk Assessment Report (RAR) presents the results of the risk assessment on
Transmission Company of Nigeria. This report documents the vulnerabilities discovered during
risk assessment activities and provides an assessment of the risks associated with the possible
exploitation of those vulnerabilities. Furthermore, it evaluates existing countermeasures and
provides recommendations for cost-effective solutions that would eliminate or minimize the
effects of the identified risks for the company,
This report discusses the General risk analysis (GRA) process and results for
Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). A Risk Assessment was executed to study
infrastructural Facilities and Staff welfare that could have an impact on the organization
exposing its staffs to risk and facilities to potential danger, hazards and damages.
This Risk Assessment Report (RAR) describes the TCN operating environment, findings
regarding system weaknesses, and provides recommendations for mitigating staff welfare & risks
involved in both the working environment and facilities. The Risk Assessment provides a basis
on which the TCN Certification Authority (CA) and the Authorizing Official (AO) can make an
informed risk-based decision of whether TCN will be:
 1. Certified and Accredited (approved to operate with acceptable residual risk)
2. Given Interim Authority to Operate (IATO) for a period not to exceed one year, during
which time recommended countermeasures can and will be implemented
3. Not approved for operation until identified risks have been mitigated

This Risk Assessment covers the entire organization of TCN, external (customer), staffs
departments, equipment and facilities, also working procedures & standard of operation.
The organizational structure of the station comprises of the following departments: Control
Room, Stores, Security Department, Admin/Human Resource, Accounts, Motor Vehicle
Department (MVD), Electrical & Maintenance Department (EMD), Protection Control &
Metering (PC&M), Lines and the Switch Yard.

AIM OF RISK ASSESSMENT

The aim of risk assessment and management approach is to identify, assess and mitigate
risks where possible and to continually monitor risks throughout the remainder of the report as
other risks or threats emerge or a risk’s impact or likelihood changes.

OBJECTIVE OF RISK ASSESSMENT

The objective of this risk assessment was to identify threats and vulnerabilities related to
Transmission Company of Nigeria, Calabar Sub-Region. The risk assessment will be utilized to
identify risk mitigation plans related to TCN facilities.
This was achieved by defining the following:
 The process that will be/has been adopted by the assessment to identify, analyze and
evaluate risks.
 How risk mitigation strategies will be developed and deployed to reduce the likelihood
and/or impact of risks;
 How often risks will be reviewed, the process for review and who will be involved;
 Roles and responsibilities for risk management;
 How reporting on risk status, and changes to risk status, will be undertaken within the
management and to the Steering Committee;
  A complete Risk Register containing all risks identified for the Project, their current
grading and the identified risk mitigation strategies to reduce the likelihood and
seriousness of each risk.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This research work was carried out using the Qualitative data collection method with the aid of
General Risk Assessment Report form which described in details the specific situation using
research tools such as key personnel interview to validate information gotten, site visit,
vulnerability sources and observations at the site of the project.
INFORMATION GATHERING TECHNIQUES
In support of this Risk Assessment, the following task was conducted:
 Reviewed agency and facility documents
 Interviewed key personnel
 Existing controls were verified and validated for compliance
 Conducted vulnerability scans against the equipment.
 Performed on-site inspections and conducted interviews with key personnel

Threat Identification and Analysis

A key part of the threat analysis is determining the threat actions associated with each threat-
source. These factors govern the probability and impact of a given threat-source to exploit
vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability Identification and Analysis
Vulnerability is a weakness through which a threat may adversely impact a system or its
associated assets. Multiple threats may exploit a single vulnerability. Thus, mitigating a single
vulnerability can address more than one threat/vulnerability pair.
Control Analysis
The overall objective of the control analysis process is to assess the status of present
Management, Operational, and Technical system security controls, which may be either
preventive or detective in nature. This assessment is required to determine the likelihood that the
identified vulnerabilities can be exploited, and the impact such exploitation may have on the
facility.
BODY OF THE WORK
BACKGROUND OF COMPANY
As part of the evolution in the Power Industry in Nigeria, the Federal Government by
Decree No. 24 of 1972 created the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA). This was
consequent upon the merger of the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) and Niger Dams
Authority (NDA). In September 1990, the partial commercialization came into being with the
appointment of a Managing Director/Chief Executive to superintend over the Corporation. Also,
the Authority was divided into four autonomous divisions namely: Generation and Transmission;
Distribution and Sales; Engineering; Finance and Administration. Each division was headed by
an Executive Director.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is one of the successors of the unbundled
PHCN and is currently an asset held under the custodianship of the Federal Ministry of Power. It
will initially remain publicly owned. TCN has the responsibility for the management of
operation, maintenance and expansion of the 132kV and 330kV transmission system. The
Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) recently appointed a Management Contractor, Manitoba
Hydro International (MHI) for TCN which took over the functions of Transmission Service
Provider, System Operator and Market Operator to undertake the overall management of TCN.
System Operations (SO) function was established as a sector within the defunct Power Holding
Company of Nigeria under the Transmission sector. The SO has now evolved into a semi-
autonomous sector under TCN and upon acquiring its license would operate as an independent
company in future. The main responsibility of the System Operator is to operate the transmission
system and the connected installed generation in a safe and reliable manner. SO is also
responsible for the overall security and reliability of the grid system, economic dispatch of
available generation resources and maintaining system stability.
IDENTIFY AND ASSESS RISK FACTORS
Identifying the risk factors via the Risk Assessment is considered a qualitative process. Risk factors
are events and conditions that may influence or drive uncertainty in project performance. They may
be inherent characteristics or conditions of the company or external influences, events, or conditions.
Risk factors may have either favorable or unfavorable impacts on the facility.
 LIST OF IDENTIFIED HAZARDS AND CONTROL MEASURES
The following potential hazards and the mitigation measures are highlighted in the table below:
HAZARDS CONTROL MEASURES
Workstation Setup Good work Layout & management
Restricted Access Provision of safety signs and symbols
Bites and Stings Environmental Fumigation
Powered Equipment Maintenance & provision of PPE
Vehicles Proper & regular maintenance
Electrical Use of PPE & permit to work
Lifting & Carrying Use of mechanical aids
Working at height Egress, safety lines & Edge protection
Food Good personal hygiene
Mobile & Fixed Plant Periodic maintenance
Working in remote areas Provision of shelter & security

MAJOR FINDINGS/OBSERVATIONS
In the course of carrying out this risk assessment, the following risks were identified:
1. The workstation setup has a poor infrastructural design and layout. The switch yard is of
high risk to staffs of the organization due to a lack of perimeter fence, safety signs and
symbols. The risk level within/around the switch yard is high because the facility consists
of high voltage transformers, live power lines and radiation effects. Also, a particular spot
within the workstation is very bushy, with thick tall grasses that could breed dangerous
rodents, snakes, termites and bees, which can make the working environment unsafe.
There should be an immediate installation of a perimeter fence to prevent unauthorized
access and reduce the risk of workers or visitors accidentally walking through the switch
yard, neglecting and not aware of high voltage and the potential hazards within.
Images showing the Switch yard without a perimeter fence
2. Inadequate fire-fighting equipment, fire alarm system, musters point, emergency exit and
control measures if a fire outbreak occurs within the facility. There are no procedures to
ensure the ongoing operation of the system in event of a significant business interruption
or disaster. The organization does not perform sufficient integrity checks on the facility.
The immediate need for installation of fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, heat &
smoke detectors, water sprinkler, emergency exit and muster point to checkmate and
reduce the likelihood of a fire disaster.
3. Lack of safety signs and symbols such as Regulatory, Warning and Information symbols
to enforce and regulate standard environmental, health & safety within the workplace.
There is no fire safety signs and symbols in place, mandatory signs & symbols for staffs
to ensure use of PPE before entering the switch yard. The transformers within the switch
yard generates over 132kv of electricity which is very dangerous if any worker within
accidentally comes in contact. The management of TCN should ensure immediate
installation of caution Signs, prohibition signs, danger signs, safe conditions and
mandatory signs to prevent accidents in areas that are of greater risk and hazards within
the switch yard and other critical areas.
Images showing Powered Equipment without safety signs & symbols
4. The staffs in the following departments; Electrical Maintenance Department (EMD),
Protection, Control & Metering (PC&M) and Lines do not have the recommended
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when carrying out their respective activities within
and outside the facility. Most importantly within the switch yard. Due to the nature of
their work, they are regularly exposed to danger in the cause of duty that could be
detrimental and harmful to them. Lack of documentation on operating processes and
provision of the PPE by the company. The management should ensure adequate and
sufficient provision of PPE for all staffs that carryout risky/hazardous works. There
should be an enforcement and strict compliance with the aid of company policies and
working procedures. Training should be conducted for the staffs on health, safety and
environment to empower them.
5. The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) have been neglected, a close inspection of these
work vehicles indicates they are in a poor state. Inadequate maintenance, bad tyres with
worn out threading, damaged pointer and brake lights, no reflectors stickers, fire
extinguisher, warning stickers and a bad pair of wiper. As a result of these lapses, there is
a high likelihood that if there is heavy rainfall, visibility when driving will be poor, the
damaged tail lights could cause a fatal accident as a result of unworthiness of the vehicle
and danger to other road users. A periodic maintenance of all work vehicles, replacement
and fixing of worn out & damaged parts such as the wiper, brake lights, tyres etc. is
recommended to the management.
6. Bites/Stings and inadequate waste disposal facilities such as waste bin, the environment
is bushy which could therefore breed dangerous animals and insect that can endanger the
workers within the facility. The management should provide adequate waste disposal
system and regular fumigation of bushy areas to keep the workplace safe at all times.
Images showing the Bushy Area.

7. Food; the company lacks a standard canteen to enable the staffs eat a proper meal and
maintain good hygiene practices, it was noted that the staffs purchase food from a lady
that brings food and sell to them in the open space, this could result to food disease or
poisoning due to poor environmental factors.

8. Lifting & Carrying of heavy loads & equipment by staffs which involves manual
handling/labor that could lead to injury and other hazards. Mechanical aid should be sort
after to reduce the risk to workers health and welfare.
 9. Working in remote area by the lines department regularly who go on fault tracing within
the major power lines often end up in remote areas and have to work overtime at odd
hours, no security or shelter which exposes them to threats and attacks from inhabitants
of the land. Security and shelter should be made available for these workers to ensure
their safety and comfort when in a remote area.

MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Once the risks have been identified and risk level determined, a series of recommended
countermeasures are provided to mitigate or eliminate the risks to the system. The goal is to
reduce the risks to an acceptable level. Factors that are considered for recommended
countermeasures include:
 Effectiveness of recommended options (e.g., system compatibility)
 Legislation and regulation
 Organizational policy
 Operational impact
 Safety and reliability

In order to achieve a safe working environment all High and Medium risk findings must be
remediated immediately. Based on the identified risks, it is recommended that efforts to properly
implement the recommended countermeasures for the facility and company be in accordance
with the standard safety ethics. The remediation process requires a coordinated effort between
various groups within the company. Some controls must be implemented at the work level while
others are controlled by infrastructure support groups. Additionally, TCN upper management
approval and support is required in order to effectively communicate organizational policies and
procedures pertaining to safety and welfare of both staffs and equipment.

The most significant area of concern for the TCN is the lack of implementation of controls in the
area of Switch yard. It is important a perimeter fence is provided to guard against illegal entry
and access to the facility. Also there should be strict policy and measures such as the safety signs
and symbols, adequate provision and enforcement of PPE to all staffs working within the
premises, particularly those that perform high risk activities.
CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY
This report has provided the management with a framework to ensure that levels of risk
and uncertainty are properly managed to ensure smooth operation and welfare of the staffs. As
risk management is an ongoing process over the life of a project, the Risk Assessment must be
considered a ‘snap shot’ of relevant risks at one point in time.
This report was achieved by defining the following:
 The process that will be/has been adopted by the report to identify, analyse and evaluate
risks in the work environment.
 How risk mitigation strategies will be developed and deployed to reduce the likelihood
and/or impact of risks;
 How often risks will be reviewed, the process for review and who will be involved;
 Roles and responsibilities for risk management;
 How reporting on risk status, and changes to risk status, will be undertaken.
 A complete Risk Register containing all risks identified for the Report, their current
rating and the identified risk mitigation strategies to reduce the likelihood and seriousness
of each risk.
In conclusion, the Risk Assessment at TCN calabar sub-region identifies risks of
operation (those areas which do not meet minimum requirements and for which adequate
countermeasures have not been implemented). The RA also determines the likelihood of
occurrence and suggests countermeasures to mitigate identified risks in an effort to provide
an appropriate level-of-protection and to meet all minimum requirements imposed on the
organization. The countermeasures recommended in this report specify the additional safety
controls needed to meet policies and to effectively manage the management risk and its operating
environment.
REFERENCES

Transmission Company of Nigeria Safety Handbook & Act.

Factory Act 1990
Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria.
ILO Convention C155 and recommendation R164 as pertain to health, safety and workers
HASAWA (Health And Safety At Work Act) of 1974
MOHSR (Management of Health and Safety Regulation) 1999
Environmental Regulations for Workplaces, 1987
General Administrative Regulations, 2003
Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009
Major Hazard Installation Regulations, 1993
Regulations concerning the Certificate of Competency, 1990.