Assessing the impact of automation on the risk of accidents in steelmaking

The article considers the main risks associated with the automation of the technological process at metallurgical enterprises. Currently, large Russian metallurgical companies are developing and implementing digital technologies that affect the security level of the entire enterprise. The factors hindering digital transformation in the metallurgical industry are given. In metallurgy, automation of technological processes is widely used for operational control and management. By increasing the efficiency and safety of production processes, minimizing losses and optimizing the use of resources, reducing decision-making time and reducing maintenance costs, automation introduces new elements of risk, ranging from technical failures to psychological effects on personnel. Therefore, it is necessary to apply appropriate management methods based on the analysis of probable accident scenarios, identification of possible negative consequences and the experience of past incidents. The main risks associated with the automation of the technological process and the actions that are important to provide for their minimization are presented. An example of accounting for such risks at the steel smelting site of an electric steelmaking workshop in the general risk assessment system of the enterprise is given. Promising areas of research in the field of automation of technological processes are shown, which make it possible to more accurately predict the state of industrial safety, optimize the use of resources and reduce the cost of ensuring safety. An important aspect is the development and regular updating of regulatory legal acts regulating the safe operation of automated systems. The development and implementation of automated systems should be considered by metallurgical enterprises as a new level of opportunities that allows them to succeed in increasing productivity and economic efficiency, and maintaining safety. This requires the company’s management to take a competent approach to risk management, conduct comprehensive research, strategic planning and personnel adaptation.