Safety is not just about following rules, it’s about saving lives
36 years of service. One man. One station. And thousands of lives saved – even
though no one knows about it
Alexander Alexandrovich Chukalin is a man whose professional career is inextricably linked to CHPP-2 named after A.Zhakutov. His journey began in 1989 as a loader in the fuel and transport workshop. Even then, he realized that energy is not just a job, but a special responsibility. But he never imagined that one day he would be standing guard over the most important value of all – human life.
He has come a long way – from shift supervisor to shift manager, from apprentice to mentor. And all this time, he grew to understand that behind every instruction, behind every rule, there is someone’s life, someone’s ‘good morning’ with a cup of coffee in a warm home.
“I was lucky to have a mentor – Igor Valentinovich Zuev, senior engineer of the turbine shop. He taught us not just to follow instructions, but to think, make decisions and realize that the warmth and light in the homes of thousands of people depends on our work. His words, ‘There are no trifles at the station,’ became my credo for decades to come,” recalls Alexander Alexandrovich.
Today, as head of the Safety and Labor Protection Service, Alexander Chukalin considers his mission to be the creation of a system where prevention is more important than dealing with the consequences.
“The main thing is not to wait for something to happen, but to work proactively. We analyze risks, train staff, monitor contractors and strive to ensure that every employee understands that the rules are not just for show, but for their own protection,” he says.
One of the main projects he’s been leading is putting in place a system to manage occupational risks. It’s not just about reports, but real steps, from upgrading equipment to training where workers learn to spot and fix hazards before they cause any accidents.
Alexander Alexandrovich can recall dozens of situations that confirm that safety requires not only knowledge but also composure. Once, during a student tour, the emergency alarm was triggered. The staff responded quickly and calmly, and this moment made a decisive impression on one of the guests.
“He came up and said, “Now I definitely want to work here.” It’s priceless when people see that energy is not just buttons and diagrams, but coordinated work where a lot depends on you, says Chukalin.
Working in the Security and Occupational Safety Service is a constant dialogue. Resistance to new rules, lack of resources, the human factor – all this requires patience and the ability to explain.
“When employees say, “Come on, we’ve done it a hundred times and nothing happened,” I give them examples and show them the consequences. It is important that people do not just obey, but understand the risks,” notes Alexander Alexandrovich.
However, there are also victorious moments. Thanks to the system of suggestions for improving safety, several serious incidents have been prevented. For example, the timely detection of overheating electrical wiring helped to avoid a fire.
When talking about the future, Alexander Chukalin sees it in technology, automation and, most importantly, in a culture of safety, where compliance with standards will become a natural part of the job.
“I wish young professionals not to be afraid to stand up for safety, even if it makes someone uncomfortable. Our job is not about protocols, but about saving lives. And that is its true value, he believes.
Alexander Chukalin is not just a manager, but a person for whom safety has become a way of life. And his story is the best example of how professionalism, responsibility and sincere dedication to the job make the world around us more secure.
Watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiEvFUTCZQs