ESB Networks Staff 'Look Out for Each Other'

ESB Networks launched ia new flagship safety DVD entitled Look Out for Each Other at a Safety Committee meeting, held on December 5th in the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise.

Made by ESB Networks staff, about staff and for staff, this DVD looks at a selection of safety incidents that have occurred on our network, with most of the case studies beings narrated by staff members who were directly involved in the incidents.

The DVD launched by ESB Executive Director, John Shine, explores three elementary questions:

• Can we further use this high-impact communications medium to better engage our 'at-risk' staff and to keep the safety message fresh and interesting? Feedback from staff during previous European Safety Weeks suggest that audio visual stimulation keeps attention, raises awareness and leaves a more lasting impression than some more traditional communications media e.g. briefings, presentations, manuals, etc.
• Can we explore the human pain, suffering and emotion behind previous injuries and Safety Critical Incidents?
• Can we get the staff involved to tell the story from their perspective - a perspective not traditionally portrayed heretofore?
• Can we leverage benefit and impact from communicating differently and by- making the message more human, personal and introspective?
• Can we better achieve a zero injury workplace with the introduction of an 'interdependent' culture where staff realise that their safety and the safety of their colleagues is interlinked?

The DVD culminates in portraying a 'Team Safety Charter', which was developed in Newcastlewest and which is now being adopted in many other locations across ESB Networks.

The DVD is broken up into chapters including: 'Good Connections', 'Safe Driving', 'Approved Procedures', 'Personal Protective Equipment', 'Climbing Poles' and 'Pulling & Lifting.' Each chapter allows viewers to look at how work is done and to consider ways of helping each other to avoid injury.

As well as featuring the personal experiences of staff members, network technicians from each Safety Committee, as well as Trade Union representatives, have contributed messages addressing 'at-risk' colleagues and encouraging safe work practices.

The DVD was shown to all ESB Networks staff during Eurpoean Safety Week 2007 and it was accompanied by a new booklet, 'Safety Excellence Companion', which reminds readers of the safety critical behaviours and controls required during ESB Networks' primary activities. Both the booklet and DVD, packaged together, help explore the question and culture - 'Can we all look out for these behaviours and controls for ourselves and for our colleagues?'

The DVD was commissioned and approved by Kieran Cogan and Liam Ring from the ESB Networks Safety Management Team and it was expertly directed and presented by PJ Phelan, Technical Development.

John Shine paid tribute to those staff who showed great courage in contributing their stories and views and he thanked them and the ESB Networks Safety Management Team for a high-quality and highimpact production. Early reactions from staff suggest that the DVD was a great success and that it paves the way for further productions in the future.