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8
NEWS
October/November 2012 www.esb.ie/em
Safety Induction Burden or Benefit?
MANY PEOPLE THINK safety induction is only for contractors. Not so. Everyone needs safety induction
Wherever someone is entering an unfamiliar site, office location or other venue they should receive safety induction. At large meetings or conferences you will be advised of the emergency exits, assembly points, rest facilities and what to do with your mobile phone. A similar protocol applies before take off on all commercial flights albeit the assembly point is somewhere unknown at the bottom of the chute. Therefore the extent of the induction is specific to what the inductees need to know to protect themselves and others while at the location. One exception to this requirement for induction is where a visitor (including a visiting colleague), or other person unfamiliar with the local safety provisions remains accompanied for the duration of their visit.
Key information
The hazards present at the location and the local procedures in place to protect people from injury need to be communicated to the inductee.
The induction for someone working in an office might include:
- Safe means of Access and Egress,
- Fire safety precautions,
- Workstation ergonomics,
- Welfare facilities,
- Arrangements for First Aid,
- Reporting defects and safety incidents,
- Expected conduct,
- Significant local risks and their control
- Other local arrangements.
Induction for Construction activities will need to include details of safe systems of work, statutory and local controls.
Delivery methods
Typically induction is delivered in person either using a slide pack or video. Sometimes one or two inductees are just brought through the location pointing out hazards and safety features. Increasingly contractors are being directed to websites where they can complete a significant portion of their induction online and print off their certificates in advance of their arrival on site. One UK construction project engages its inductees by asking them what hazards they should expect to find at the location and then jointly deciding on the most appropriate controls.
Recording
Keeping a record of induction is important. It helps demonstrate compliance with Safety Management Systems and may be needed in any legal proceedings.
Testing effectiveness
Sometimes inductees are asked to complete an assessment at the end of their induction thereby establishing that they were present and attentive. Another measure is to monitor behaviour during work and to test periodically.
Conclusion
Safety Induction can be a very useful means of setting out the basic safety precautions to be taken by inductees. There are a number of delivery methods. Formal induction may be avoided for short stay visitors and others if accompanied at all times. Keeping records of induction is important as is verifying the effectiveness of the training. If you have recently moved to a new location or business area check that you have received safety induction. You’ll be surprised at what you will learn.
Yellow is the colour…
NO, YOUR EYES aren’t deceiving you: the electricity pylons in Straid, County Antrim and Dromore, County Down were painted yellow recently.
This is part of NIE’s ongoing overhead line maintenance programme being carried out in the Ballyclare and Lisburn areas. Teams of painters have been covering the pylons in yellow paint, a second coat of paint is then applied and the pylons then return to their traditional grey colour.
According to NIE Transmission Planning Engineer Alister Fenton, “Painting the pylons yellow on the first coat, simply makes sure they don’t miss a bit on the second coat. We paint the metal work on our towers or pylons to keep them in good condition and extend their lifespan. We have around 3,500 towers, or pylons, across Northern Ireland and every year we paint approximately 175 of these, so it is a continual cycle.
“In some cases, we paint the middle section of the pylon first. We can only paint the horizontal arms, which carry the wires, when we de-energise the lines. This means we divert the electricity elsewhere for a short period of time so that our painters can work safely.”
Don’t cut back on safety
NIE HAS LAUNCHED a new safety campaign to raise awareness of the dangers when felling trees and cutting hedges close to the electricity network.
The campaign is part of NIE’s ongoing public safety programme and follows a recent spate of incidents where overhead electricity lines have been damaged when vegetation was being cut.
NIE Head of Health, Safety and Environment, Kevin McDowell, hopes the campaign will encourage everyone planning tree or hedge-cutting work near the electricity network to follow some simple safety precautions.
“We continually highlight the risks involved when working in the vicinity of the electricity network, but every year people are injured because they do not follow the correct safety guidelines,” he said. “Any contact with live electricity equipment may result in injury or even death. We ask anyone considering this type of work to consult with NIE prior to work starting.
“We know this is a busy time of year for farmers and agricultural contractors but carrying out a basic risk assessment before starting work could mean the difference between life and death. With careful planning every incident of damage can be avoided. Since 2011, 10 people across Northern Ireland have lost their lives because they made contact with the overhead network. These fatalities should act as a grim warning to every DIY enthusiast, farmer or contractor who fails to take note of the proximity of the electricity network to their work area.
“It’s time for everyone working near electricity equipment to put safety first, every time. Our message is clear – look up, look out and stay away from overhead lines.”
