EM - February/March 2013 - (Page 13)

13 February/March 2013 www.esb.ie/em Generation & Wholesale Markets Safety Conference THE FIRST Generation & Wholesale Market Safety Conference took place on 30th January and was attended by 120 safety leaders from across the business, along with guests attendees from Corporate Centre and ESBI. Paddy Hayes, Executive Director, G&WM, opened the conference with a sombre reflection on the recent tragedies that resulted in the deaths of two young ESB Networks apprentices. Against this backdrop, he urged all in attendance to take personal responsibility for ensuring their own safety and that acting as safety leaders, setting and living the safety standards that inspire all who work in our business to deliver on. Generation and Asset Development businesses then presented on the safety outcomes for 2012 and the significant challenges ahead for 2013. Mark Lawlor and Fiona Kennedy outlined the road map for the 4You behavioural safety programme and introduced the workshops on 4You, which included; Managing Change in the context of 4You, Dynamic Assessment (NUT) and structured safety conversations. Four separate workshop streams participated in two separate workshop topics. In the afternoon the conference agenda moved onto the second significant theme of the day, the Process Safety Project. Brian McAleer, Project Manager, presented on the scope of the project and the project road map and work plan. Paddy Hayes later announced the Merit Award winners for the second half of 2012 Harry Doherty and Padraic Dooley, both Erne Stations with Brian O’Mahony, Chief Civil Engineer (centre) at the G&WM Safety Conference. Allenwood Enterprise Centre renamed in honour of the late Michael Fitzpatrick Nadine Rooney, who recently left ESB, attended the conference to recount a personal story of how the safety training she received in ESB benefitted her family in a profound way. - Aghada and Moneypoint stations with the overall Safety Award for 2012 awarded to Moneypoint. Their submission was based on the work undertaken with contractor companies and their staff to achieve continuous improvement and create an environment where all persons can work safely and carry out quality work to a very high standard. Mick O’Mahony, Manager Asset Development then chaired the 4You Workshop feedback and discussion, and the day was brought to a close by Nicholas Tarrant, Manager Generation. If you wish to obtain a copy of any of the presentations please contact brian.gray@esb.ie site. Through Michael’s ALLENWOOD RESIDENTS came tremendous efforts with together just before Christmas to honour the local community and the memory of the TD and long serving ESB, the site became Councillor, Michael Fitzpatrick, who died home to the Allenwood in October 2011. A native of Cootehill, Maureen Fitzpatrick pictured with her son Darragh at the Enterprise Centre Michael had made Allenwood his home unveiling of the plaque to rename the Centre in honour of operated by ACDAL, for many years and it was while he was her late husband, Michael Fitzpatrick TD. the local comon Garda duty in Robertstown munity based that he met his wife Maureen, organisation set up in 1994 of Michael due to motor neurone disease, then working in Allenwood to promote job creation. By the community came together with Power Station. Maureen encouraging small business Manager Tom Quinn, to discuss a lasting was to go on to spend all incubation it operates as the memorial to Michael in gratitude for his her working life in the conduit for the generation of years of commitment, driving force and efMidland Stations. employment in the area. The forts on behalf of the people of Allenwood. Michael was working as Enterprise Centre and Industrial The Centre has now been renamed ‘The a Personal Assistant to Charlie Nicholas Tarrant, Park now hosts 17 companies, Michael Fitzpatrick Enterprise Centre’ and McCreevy, who was Minister Manager employing 105 staff directly, was announced at an event which was atfor Finance, when the closure of Generation supporting many more jobs inditended by his wife Maureen, son Darragh, Allenwood Station took place ESB chats to Maureen rectly and is the largest employer former Minister Charlie McCreevy, local in 1992 and was fully involved Fitzpatrick after in the area. representatives and groups and members when the negotiations with ESB the event. Following the untimely death of the wider community. took place on the future of the Letters from Japan DARA CONNOLLY There was heavy snowfall on the day of our visit, lending an additional magic to the already other-worldly surroundings. Especially atmospheric was the cemetery, where graves and monuments from many centuries are nestled among mature trees. Paddy Hayes, Executive Director G&WM opened the Safety Conference with his 2013 Safety Message. This was followed by presentations from Jim Corcoran, Production Safety Specialist (left) and Michael O’Grady, H&S Manager, Asset Development (right). Paddy Hayes presenting staff of Moneypoint Station with their award as Overall Winners of the G&WM 2012 Safety Awards. Pictured (l-r): Frank Moran, Martin Hehir, Tomas Flaherty, Brendan Kennedy, Station Manager; Sean Price, Mick Hogan, Aodhan McAleer, Paddy Hayes, Christy Creevey, Mick Edwards-Murphy and Sean Rynne. Koya-san One of the most interesting places we have visited in Japan is the monastic settlement of Koya-san, a remote mountain fastness that is home to dozens of temples and monasteries, and thousands of monks. Tourists and day-trippers (like us) arrive by cable car, and those who choose to stay overnight (unlike us) can experience the ascetic simplicity and tranquillity of monastic life. Appreciation Frank Nolan IT WAS with deep regret and shock that we learned of the sudden passing of our friend and colleague Frank Nolan. Every one who saw Frank saw a big man but everyone who knew Frank knew an even bigger man. Loving husband to Marie, proud father of Ben and Ruth. Every individual and organisation involved with Frank was the better for his involvement. Frank had ability and ‘common sense’. If you had a problem no matter what it was, Frank was the person to contact. Moneypoint is certainly a better place because of his drive, his ideas and his ability to make improvements and get things done. Admired and respected by all those he dealt with - staff, contractors and suppliers. Kilrush Rugby Club benefited from Frank’s passion for rugby. He designed, built and installed the new showers. His time, effort and dedication to the grounds and to the membership was outstanding. Frank’s other passion was motorcycles, something he was both happy and scared he had passed on to Ruth. He was extremely proud when Ben headed off to NUI Galway. He had a great sense of humour, loved a joke or a prank and saw the funny side of most things. Frank was also courageous, both of word and of deed, he would never shy away from saying what needed to be said nor doing what needed to be done. He was a man of honesty and integrity and a friend to many. Listening to people speak about Frank and the outpouring of grief shows how much he meant to so many people.We say farewell Frank knowing the world will be a smaller place without you. May you rest in peace. Politics The end of the year saw general elections in Japan, the defeat of the ruling Democratic Party, and the return to power of the Liberal Democratic Party under Prime Minister Abe. As the new PM is considered to be more favourably disposed to nuclear power than his predecessor, the change of government may bring about a change in energy policy. New Year On New Year’s Eve, we visited a nearby temple called Shitennoji, which is the oldest temple in the whole of Japan. At midnight on New Year’s Eve, the great bell is struck 108 times. On New Year’s Day, there is a special traditional meal called o-sechi, which consists of many different delicacies, all beautifully presented in a set of wooden boxes. Another important event is the first visit to the shrine after New Year. Visitors can “draw lots” to learn their fortune for the year, which is written on a piece of paper similar to what you would find inside a fortune cookie. Those who receive bad fortunes leave them tied to a tree inside the shrine, in the hope of leaving the bad fortune behind. With some trepidation I drew a lot, and was delighted when I unrolled my fortune and it said “Daikichi” – the best possible fortune. Thankful Appreciation Frank’s wife Marie, son Ben, daughter Ruth, mother Bridget, sisters Geraldine and Catherine and extended family would like to thank everyone from around the country who travelled to Frank’s funeral in November. Many thanks also to those who phoned, sent cards, letters and flowers. To the management and staff of ESB Moneypoint, we will never forget your goodness and kindness to us throughout this very sad time. We were overwhelmed by the expression of sympathy and support we have received from you all and we wish to express our sincere appreciation. Through Frank’s life and work, he obviously touched the lives of an enormous number of people across the country. We hope that his memory will live on in the hearts of you all who knew and appreciated him during his all too short time with us. http://www.esb.ie/em

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of EM - February/March 2013

EM - February/March 2013
Contents
News
Innovation
Generation & Wholesale Markets
BSC & Electric Ireland
ESB Networks Ltd
Health & Habitat

EM - February/March 2013