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ESB NETWORKS LTD
October/November 2013 www.esb.ie/em
Launch of new Scheduling Tool in HV D&C
» A new version of the Scheduling Tool was recently launched in HVD&C. It is an upgrade of an existing system which has been in use for about two years. The purpose of the Scheduling Tool is to provide an weekly work schedule for every NT.
Entry Screen
FLM view - shows NTs, list of CAPEX and OPEX and Tranmission Schedule in one screen
EACH FLM PREPARES work schedules for the forthcoming week for every member of the team. An individual work schedule sheet indicates the jobs to be carried out each day by individual NTs. It provides CAPEX job numbers and maintenance order numbers for all jobs to help improve time-sheet accuracy. At the end of each week, the schedule is attached to the time-sheet by the NT. This facilitates discussion between the Front Line Manager and NT regarding the outcome.
The previous Scheduling Tool had its limitations. It had slow response times and was limited in what tasks it could schedule. The new version of the Scheduling Tool addressed many of the original performance issues. Response times have radically improved and Gannt Charts are available for all Capex jobs. Tasks within the Gannt Charts can be assigned more easily by the FLM.
The Scheduler was launched by Conor Healy, NPM North and PC Lynch, NPM South, to Front Line Managers at Portlaoise Training School in early June. They each stressed the importance of scheduling to manage performance into the future. NT schedules presented a weekly opportunity for each FLM to discuss progress against plan - in line with best practice.
After training FLMs, the Scheduling Tool went live on June 21st 2013. Considering it was launched during the holiday period, usage to date by FLMs has been excellent. Mark Dillon (Software Consultant), Keith Kavanagh, Liam Shankey Smith, Conor Healy, Ray Aherne, Tommy McKinley and Noelle Brooks worked to a very tight time to ensure a tight programme to launch was achieved.
Features of the new version are:
• Faster and Easier to use
• MO,s Packaged and easier to schedule
• Gannt Charts available for all CAPEX jobs
• Transmission outage programme available in Scheduler window relevant to date you are scheduling
RESTORED VEHICLES ON DISPLAY AT FINGAL VINTAGE SOCIETY'S SHOW
AT A RECENT Vintage Society Show held at Fingal, restored old ESB vehicles attracted great interest and measurable goodwill towards the company as ESB Networks colleague, Tony Wall observed a constant stream of people taking photos and interviewing the owners to gain more information about these particular vehicles.
Parachuting over €2k to charities
By Sandra Connolly, ESB Networks
BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY August 5th 2013 is a day that will live in my memory for ever. That was the day I made one of my ‘Bucket List Things To Do Before I'm 50’ come true. A few years back I decided I wanted to do a parachute jump, but never dreamed I would have the nerve to go through with it. It came up in conversation occasionally and then back in April while reading the local paper I saw that volunteers were needed to take part in a tandem parachute jump to raise money for charity. This, I decided, was meant to be!
I enrolled and was advised that €560 had to be raised by each participant. I set myself a target of €1,000 and started counting down the days. I spent a sleepless night the night before not knowing what to expect, and being terrified of heights still hoping that I could actually go through with it.
There were to be three jumpers and three Tandem Masters per flight. Weather slowed down the process due to low cloud as safety for all was paramount. Finally, it was my turn! The six of us climbed aboard the plane and headed for the sky, As we climbed higher Peter got me strapped on to him while I looked at the magnificent view that was laid out below me: long white beaches, rugged coastline, the colours of the sea. Then at 10,500 feet the door of the plane opened and the butterflies started.
The first jumper inched his way to the door and then disappeared from view. Immediately then it was my turn. I did what Peter told me to do earlier - feet tucked under the step, my hands holding on to my harness and my head back towards him. Before I could say anything I was free-falling 6,000ft through the air at 200km per hour screaming my way through the clouds. The air whistled noisily around me and then the parachute opened and I felt as if I was being sucked back up towards the plane again when in actual fact we were slowing down.
Before I could say anything I was free-falling 6,000ft through the air at 200km per hour
Peter then gave me control of the parachute to steer. When I looked up I could see the bright yellow canopy and when I looked ahead I again got to see the amazing landscape. The silence up there at that stage was as if someone had turned the volume of the TV off. I wanted to stay up there for ever. After about 5 minutes Peter took back control to take us down to the landing pitch. I could hear my family calling “go Sandra” and my nieces and nephews were holding a big banner. It was the most amazing, terrifying, exciting, daring thing I have done in my life.
Would I do it again? Definitely. I raised €2,030 for the charities thanks to all my family, friends and colleagues. The support I got from them leading up to it will never be forgotten. Thank you to everyone.
My family and some friends headed off from Letterkenny to Carrickfinn Airport in west Donbeing held. I still had no nerves and was beginning to think there was something wrong with me. A good friend of mine told me not to worry that I would “float down like a feather in a soft summer breeze” and I kept that in mind. I met Peter, my Tandem Master from The Irish Parachute Club (based in Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly) who immediately put me as ease while fitting me with my jumpsuit and harness.
The charities involved were:
• MS Ireland
• Temple Street Children's University Hospital
• Little Angels School Letterkenny
• SNAP Charity
