Protect Those Who Keep the Lights On

Dear Readers,

Today, the proverb “Prepare your sleigh in summer” has become a guiding principle for us. The winter of 2026 is expected to put Ukraine’s energy system to the test. We all understand that despite extensive preparations by the state, the experience enterprises have gained in restoring Ukraine’s energy infrastructure after years of its deliberate destruction by the aggressor, and the support of international partners, war-related risks remain extremely high.

The resilience of the energy sector depends not only on equipment, reserves and technical solutions. At its core are people — energy workers, repair crews, operators and utility workers who keep critical systems running.

That is why protecting these workers is not only an occupational safety and health priority, but also an essential condition for the resilience and continuity of the energy system and a key element of preparations for the winter season.

Together with its partners, the magazine’s editorial team is contributing to the preparation of an analytical report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) on the occupational safety and health of workers in Ukraine’s energy sector. The report draws on surveys of workers, managers and specialists, as well as statistical data and analytical materials.

The initial findings indicate that, under current conditions, war-related hazards significantly compound traditional occupational risks. Priority scenarios include emergency recovery following attacks, work on damaged or temporary electrical systems, restarting energy equipment, and work at height and in confined spaces.

The greatest danger often arises not from individual hazards, but from their combination. For example, a member of an emergency repair crew may simultaneously face damaged equipment, uncertainty about the electrical status of the network, unstable structures and the risk of a repeat attack.

Under such conditions, safety must follow the hierarchy of controls: hazards should first be eliminated or isolated; this should be followed by engineering and organisational measures, training and effective supervision; only then should decisions be made regarding the use of personal and collective protective equipment.

This approach is consistent with ILO recommendations: personal protective equipment (PPE) is important, but it is only one component of an effective protection system. PPE must be appropriate to the specific hazards, tasks and working conditions.

The assessment has already identified a number of critical needs, including electrical protective equipment and arc-rated protective clothing, voltage detection and grounding equipment, fall protection systems, gas detection equipment, rescue equipment and reliable means of communication.

At the same time, the provision of equipment must be accompanied by training, compatibility checks and practical drills. A safety helmet or protective suit does not provide protection on its own. Protection comes from a system in which workers understand the hazards, know how to act safely and have both the authority and confidence to say: “Stop. The conditions are no longer safe.”

Workforce capacity is another major challenge. Energy workers often have to operate during prolonged shifts, respond to repeated emergency call-outs and cope with intense psychological pressure. Protecting them therefore also means managing fatigue, organising shifts appropriately and supporting workers’ mental health and psychological well-being.

A defining feature of preparations for another winter under wartime conditions is shared responsibility.

The state creates the conditions necessary to strengthen the resilience of the energy system. International partners provide technical assistance and contribute to strengthening the protection of those who restore and maintain it. Enterprises, in turn, must ensure that work is organised and carried out safely.

Every family and every citizen also has a role to play — preparing, to the best of their ability, for possible disruptions and taking responsibility for their own safety.

After all, behind the heat and light in our homes is the daily work of people whose safety must remain an absolute priority.