Employee safety
In 2006 we completed work with Dupont to apply the Safety Excellence Model across our business. We maintained this direction throughout 2007, developing our Health and Safety Policy further to reaffirm our position: we believe all harm is preventable so our aim is zero harm.
Health and Safety Policy
Safety at the heart of everything we do
Our Health and Safety Policy states five key principles:
- Every job will be done safely, no matter how important or urgent it is
- Each of us has a personal responsibility for our own health and safety and for those around us
- Putting people to work carries a specific responsibility and accountability for health and safety which will be visibly demonstrated
- Each near miss we learn from reduces the chance of harm next time
- Each of us will spot, report and deal with hazards to help create a harm free workplace
Safety is at the heart of everything we do and we believe all harm is preventable so our aim is zero harm.
Health and safety performance in 2007
Our H&S performance was overshadowed by the death of three employees at work: in August, an employee working for the Contracting Low Voltage Division fell from a mobile scaffolding tower that he was dismantling; in September, an employee working on the Low Voltage Public Network was electrocuted during a Live Jointing operation; in November, a linesman was electrocuted while upgrading a pole-mounted transformer on the Public Network.
In each case, similar activities were suspended immediately and only re-authorised once causes were identified and appropriate measures taken to prevent a recurrence. The three incidents were investigated thoroughly and all recommendations are being implemented in full.
Our H&S strategy has been reviewed following these three fatal incidents. We need to understand our employees’ perceptions and behaviours better; and to help us do this we have appointed an independent expert to carry out a cultural survey early in 2008. We will use the results to determine our future strategy and improve performance.
As a result of the three tragic fatal accidents which occurred in 2007 we have initiated the following actions:
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Zero Harm helpline -We set up a free to call, confidential reporting line to enable employees and contractor’s employees to report unsafe acts and conditions that they feel they were unable to report to their supervisor or manager. The helpline has proved a success and we have been able to deal with the issues raised in an effective and timely manner.
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Zero Harm Project - Networks branch have initiated a Zero Harm Project which is targeting the areas of procedures and behaviours. A full review of training programmes is being undertaken with priority being given to refresher training of field based employees.
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Project Zero Harm Improving Health and Safety Standards - This project is building on, and delivering, improved Health and Safety Standards across the company. The key areas that the project aims to address are Risk Assessment, Incident Investigation, Driving, Contractors and Construction and Working at Height. We are confident that this project will engage every employee and contractor working within EDF Energy.
We used the HSE index to measure management activities that reduce risk and improve visibility of safety issues. Despite the three fatalities, our year-end index score was 91.2% against a target of 90%.
Contractor performance is included in all our health and safety (H&S) data.
Performance improved by 18% compared to 2006, but the severity of Lost Time Injuries was higher, with a significant number of three-day injuries. Most Lost Time Incidents occurred in the ‘slip trip or fall’ category.
Compliance with OHSAS 18001 (the standard on occupational H&S) was largely completed by the end of the year, although the Customers Branch management system has yet to be verified in 2008.
Actions for the future
We will implement key performance standards covering Incident Investigation, Risk Management, Driving, Occupational Health, Contractors and Working at Height, and assess other H&S Standards against best-practice during 2008.
By 2012 our ‘Fit Safe and Responsible’ ambition will be replaced by a ‘Safe for All’, measured using ‘Days of Zero Harm’ as a key performance indicator. This reflects our commitment: we believe that all harm is preventable so our aim is zero harm.
main content
Employee safety
In 2006 we completed work with Dupont to apply the Safety Excellence Model across our business. We maintained this direction throughout 2007, developing our Health and Safety Policy further to reaffirm our position: we believe all harm is preventable so our aim is zero harm.
Health and Safety Policy
Safety at the heart of everything we do
Our Health and Safety Policy states five key principles:
Safety is at the heart of everything we do and we believe all harm is preventable so our aim is zero harm.
Health and safety performance in 2007
Our H&S performance was overshadowed by the death of three employees at work: in August, an employee working for the Contracting Low Voltage Division fell from a mobile scaffolding tower that he was dismantling; in September, an employee working on the Low Voltage Public Network was electrocuted during a Live Jointing operation; in November, a linesman was electrocuted while upgrading a pole-mounted transformer on the Public Network.
In each case, similar activities were suspended immediately and only re-authorised once causes were identified and appropriate measures taken to prevent a recurrence. The three incidents were investigated thoroughly and all recommendations are being implemented in full.
Our H&S strategy has been reviewed following these three fatal incidents. We need to understand our employees’ perceptions and behaviours better; and to help us do this we have appointed an independent expert to carry out a cultural survey early in 2008. We will use the results to determine our future strategy and improve performance.
As a result of the three tragic fatal accidents which occurred in 2007 we have initiated the following actions:
We used the HSE index to measure management activities that reduce risk and improve visibility of safety issues. Despite the three fatalities, our year-end index score was 91.2% against a target of 90%.
Contractor performance is included in all our health and safety (H&S) data.
Performance improved by 18% compared to 2006, but the severity of Lost Time Injuries was higher, with a significant number of three-day injuries. Most Lost Time Incidents occurred in the ‘slip trip or fall’ category.
Compliance with OHSAS 18001 (the standard on occupational H&S) was largely completed by the end of the year, although the Customers Branch management system has yet to be verified in 2008.
Actions for the future
We will implement key performance standards covering Incident Investigation, Risk Management, Driving, Occupational Health, Contractors and Working at Height, and assess other H&S Standards against best-practice during 2008.
By 2012 our ‘Fit Safe and Responsible’ ambition will be replaced by a ‘Safe for All’, measured using ‘Days of Zero Harm’ as a key performance indicator. This reflects our commitment: we believe that all harm is preventable so our aim is zero harm.
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