Safety award for Cavan ESB base

We tend to only think about the people responsible for bringing us electricity power when a storm leaves us in the dark. So it is great to have the opportunity to bring you the team behind the power at the ESB Centre at Moynehall, Cavan, writes Sean McMahon. The project supervisor with the team is Paul Cooney and he was glad to relate the good news that they have just scooped a top award for safety in the Northern region. Two audits were carried out in the different centres to ascertain that they were adhering to the strict safety regulations. The audits included a focus on numerous aspects of safety in relation to transport, tools in the yard and safety awareness. The audits were carried out six months apart and improvement over that duration was reflected in the points awarded. A total of 20 ESB offices/yards took part in the safety audits and Cavan was rewarded with a highly commended second place. For instance, all vehicles in car parks in the yards are reversed into position. Paul Cooney revealed that it was discovered during surveys that 50% of all accidents with transport are caused when reversing out of a parked position. "Obviously the business we are in involves working with power lines, so safety precautions at all times are paramount," said Mr. Cooney. The biggest threat to lines are high winds and an ice load on the wires and large trees in close proximity to lines have to be monitored. "Part of our public safety is to patrol lines to ensure they are safe and that there are no hazards out there for our customers."