Metinvest's Central Iron Ore conducted a comprehensive training on responding to the potential consequences of hostilities under conditions of a complete blackout. The exercise took place at the main step-down substation operated by the plant's Networks and Substations Shop.
According to the updated procedures, participants practised practical skills covering all standard emergency scenarios under the additional condition of a complete blackout.
Special attention during the exercise was given to coordination between departments, prompt response, and the readiness of personnel to operate without electricity.
The exercise included drills involving fire-fighting and medical units, response procedures in the event of discovering explosive hazards, as well as procedures for personnel in the event of a power outage.
Participants included employees of the Networks and Substations Shop, representatives of the militarised fire brigade, the State Militarised Mining Rescue Service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the medical service, the dispatch service of the enterprise, and employees of the Industrial Water Supply and Slurry Facilities Shop. In total, 25 people took part.
According to the exercise scenario, during the air raid alert all employees headed to the shelter. However, an overhead power line maintenance electrician did not manage to reach the shelter on time because he was finishing an inspection of the flexible busbar. As a result of air defence operations, the blast wave damaged the closed switchgear building, and the worker sustained a shrapnel wound to his left leg with arterial bleeding, as well as a head injury.
Moreover, according to the scenario, the blast wave and debris cut power to an overhead transmission line supplying electricity to the plant, bringing the production process to a halt. Meanwhile, "drone debris" fell on the substation grounds, and a simulated fire broke out near one of the power transformers.
Upon lifting the air raid alert, participants started dealing with the consequences of the emergency The medical team promptly found the casualty and provided first aid before medical personnel arrived. In parallel, the fire-fighting team started containing the simulated fire, practising response procedures under the additional condition of disrupted water supply.
During an inspection of the site, the team found drone fragments close to the flexible busbar. After informing the enterprise dispatcher, employees carried out all actions stipulated by the procedure: they cordoned off the hazardous area, evacuated personnel, and escorted the emergency services.
Following the comprehensive exercise, the Emergency Response Headquarters analysed the actions of all participating services, assessed the effectiveness of internal communications, and evaluated personnel readiness to respond to wartime emergencies. The enterprise achieved an overall preparedness rating of more than 90%, demonstrating a high level of staff preparedness, effective coordination between departments, and the ability to respond promptly to complex operational and security challenges.
Comprehensive military risk management exercises remain an important component of the Central Iron Ore safety system and help maintain personnel readiness to respond to wartime threats.
"Today's realities require enterprises to be prepared for any scenario. That is why we regularly hold comprehensive training exercises, during which we practise not only individual response procedures, but also the coordination of all services within a unified emergency response system. This time, the additional challenge was a complete blackout, which significantly complicated the tasks. Despite this, the participants demonstrated a very high level of preparedness. Attacks on the city do not stop, therefore we must always remain ready to protect our people and minimise risks to equipment. These exercises enable us to identify areas where additional attention is needed, refine our response procedures, and develop further measures to strengthen employees' readiness to respond during emergencies," stated Yurii ROVINSKYI, HSE Director of Metinvest Iron Ore Plants.
