High standards at Lough Ree Power brings awards on the double
Lough ree power boasts not just the title of the second largest peat station in the world with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard, it also claims to be the ONLY peat station in the world with the Tidy Stations Award! This claim was strongly voiced at a celebration on Friday, January 13th last, when the plant was presented with their ISO 14001 Award. One could be forgiven for thinking there was a 'tiny hint' of competitiveness between Lough Ree Power and its 'sister' station, West Offaly Power (which also holds the ISO 14001: 2004 Award) but MC, Liam Doyle, on the day of the presentation would only smile smugly at the very notion! Liam (who also doubled up as Santa at the Christmas festivities claiming it was all to do with something called 'working to competiencies') was definitely in fine form as he spoke proudly of the excellent team work and good will which is very much part of the working life of the staff at LRP. Liam welcomed invited guests, Paddy Stapleton, Power Generation Group Manager, Ruth Burke of SGS Ireland, Maurice Flynn, and representatives from MI Construction, Foster Wheeler and Bord na Mona.
Lough Ree Power achieved ISO 14001 Certification in November 2005. This is an international standard assessing the environmental performance of the Power Station.To maintain accreditation LRP must keep the high standard, this is done by internal auditing on a monthly basis and external auditing by SGS Ireland at six monthly intervals.
Station Manager, Pat Treanor, said it was a wonderful achievement for the staff to achieve both awards within 12 months of the station being commissioned and pointed out that the two awards are intrinsically linked as is safety at the plant. Pat thanked everyone who had contributed including the Environmental Management Group under Joe Lyons who managed and guided the staff at the station and Ruth Burke from the accrediting body who advised them along the way. "However, we are not entitled to it for life and we must keep earning it.
Congratulations to you all, particularly for your 'can and will do' attitude and it is a pleasure to accept this award on your behalf."
Group Manager, Paddy Stapleton, remarked that since he took up his current position in 1998 he has seen a huge amount of change in the peat section. "What has been achieved has been done by people like you here, the chemistry between you all is palpable and striking. A lot of the teething problems associated with a new station are behind you and we are looking forward to 2006 and seeing more of that great spirit."
Ruth Burke, Lead Auditor SGS Ireland, thanked the management and staff for inviting her to the event and reminded the gathering that the standard is voluntary and that it wasnt just the EMG who shared the responsibility for driving it but everyone at the plant. "This stage is the most difficult following such momentum at the beginning, so you must work hard to keep it up," she said
Speaking at the event, Joe Lyons thanked Bord na Mona who he said had as much to do with keeping the environmental standards at the plant as station staff. "The achievement has been by all the staff, you have contributed to this award and have set a very high standard going forward."
An excellent meal was provided at the plant for the invited guests by local restaurant, Sorohans. EM
