How Outsourcing Safety Resources Can Work For Your Project
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Case Studies
Utilities
Reducing risk when working at height on high
voltage transformers,
a case study
STEP 01
Background
In 2017, our Coyle Group consultant observed a safety risk at our client’s workplace, related to high voltage (HV) transformers whilst undertaking a site visit for a separate piece of work. Network Technicians were working on HV transformers without having the required control measures and were consequently exposed to a risk of falling from a height. Our consultant raised this risk with the local and senior managers at our client’s workplace.
Legal Compliance
Not only was this an unsafe practice, putting employees and contractors at risk, but additionally the ‘Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Applications) Regulations 2007, Part 4 – Work at Heights’ was at risk of being breached.
Establishing a working group
A high voltage working group was then established. A Coyle Group safety consultant was invited to join the group. The working group’s role was to develop solutions to mitigate or eliminate the falls from a height risk that had been identified with the older high voltage transformers. The Coyle Group consultant played a critical role in the group, acting as the health and safety specialist, providing risk assessments, legislations expertise and safety insight from other sectors and industries.
Further Investigation
This prompted a closer look at working practices, which showed that a safe system of work on older HV transformers was not in place. The older high voltage transformers did not have a manufactured designed proprietary guard rail system or fall arrest anchorage system attached.
Finding the right solution
Over the next year, the working group trialled a few possible solutions to mitigate the risk. It was not an easy risk to address as there was no available solution specifically designed for these older transformers.
Additionally, constraints around the way these transformers work and have been designed, made it even more difficult. For example, because these transformers only have limited outage durations (1-2 days) it may not be practical to erect scaffolding around the whole perimeter of the transformer. Also, access to these transformers can be difficult, making other sorts of scaffolding impractical and anchor points for safety systems away from leading edges can be limited.
A lifeline anchor system, a type of fall arrest temporary horizontal lifeline system, that works by anchoring to existing lifting eyes on HV transformers, was eventually found to be the best solution.
Coyle Group was at the clients side throughout the development of the solution, attending site visits and trials across Ireland, assessing whether the proposed solution would sufficiently improve the safety of the sites and reduce exposure to breach of legislation.
STEP 02
Solution
Horizontal lifeline system
A temporary horizontal lifeline system allows an individual to attach his/her retractable lanyard to a fall arrest lifeline. This ensures that the user is fully secured to the system at all times. Once secure, the user can move freely to perform work tasks while being totally secured to a fall arrest system. During trials, the working group identified an additional safety requirement – the need for a rescue plan in the event of a fall and suspension in a harness. So, once a fall arrest system was selected, a rescue plan was developed and put in place by the working group.
With a new fall arrest system and rescue plan in place, it was clear that the business also needed a clear and documented national working procedure so that network technicians work in a consistently safe and controlled manner whilst aloft on an HV transformer. The working group established a national procedure, which was reviewed and approved by the clients senior manager and implemented nationwide. Our consultant was a key contributor to this procedure, developing content within it, answering management questions and being part of the final presentation team to senior managers.
A safer national working practice
Over the course of this work, Coyle Group played a pivotal role in the client’s working group to plan, implement and assure the following:
- temporary horizonal lifeline systems nationwide
- a rescue plan
- a new procedure for installation and use of the system
These actions reduce the risk of falling from a height and thus significantly improve the safety of Network Technicians working on high voltage transformers. It gives their staff and contractors the confidence that their safety is protected.
The client can now clearly demonstrate that they have put measures in place for their technicians to work safely and securely as per the general application regulations.
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“Gavin Coyle and the team have given us valuable safety insight over the years, working mainly on our windfarms but also on conventional power station projects.
Power generation is an exciting, dynamic business, but it need not be a dangerous one. At Energia we are immensely proud of our safety record: our managers and workers are happy to share much of the credit with Gavin Coyle and his team”.
“Rengen Power manage renewables assets for many different owners in Ireland. We ensure that the projects are both operating at the highest possible level of production, and more importantly to the highest safety standards. We use integrated operation control software to ensure that the assets achieve these standards. We have worked with Coyle Group to independently verify that we’ve delivered on our promise of safety. It’s a partnership which has achieved real improvements in our H&S performance. We look forward to continuing our journey with Coyle Group.”
“Jones Engineering found Coyle Group to be very pro-active and efficient in assisting us with our staffing needs. They listened to and understood our requirements and expectations for specific project placement in pharma, commercial and industrial sectors. The Coyle Group team are professional, honest and curteous and have excellent communication skills. They have sourced key personnel who have integrated into our team and contributed to the smooth running and success of a number of our projects.”
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Gavin Coyle offers a fresh pair of eyes: he will often spot the potential for hazard”
“Gavin Coyle and the team have given us valuable safety insight over the years, working mainly on our windfarms but also on conventional power station projects.
Power generation is an exciting, dynamic business, but it need not be a dangerous one. At Energia we are immensely proud of our safety record: our managers and workers are happy to share much of the credit with Gavin Coyle and his team”.
“Rengen Power manage renewables assets for many different owners in Ireland. We ensure that the projects are both operating at the highest possible level of production, and more importantly to the highest safety standards. We use integrated operation control software to ensure that the assets achieve these standards. We have worked with Coyle Group to independently verify that we’ve delivered on our promise of safety. It’s a partnership which has achieved real improvements in our H&S performance. We look forward to continuing our journey with Coyle Group.”
Rengen PowerDes Regan, Director Operations
“Jones Engineering found Coyle Group to be very pro-active and efficient in assisting us with our staffing needs. They listened to and understood our requirements and expectations for specific project placement in pharma, commercial and industrial sectors. The Coyle Group team are professional, honest and curteous and have excellent communication skills. They have sourced key personnel who have integrated into our team and contributed to the smooth running and success of a number of our projects.”
We have found Coyle Group consultants to have excellent knowledge and understanding of health and safety requirements for the mechanical and electrical sectors within the construction industry.
One of the top leaders when it comes to health and safety recruitment and consultancy.
Coyle Group are a professional, reliable and trustworthy company with whom we have established an excellent working relationship. We would highly recommend them for recruitment and consultancy requirements.”
Jones Engineering Group Declan Grady, Group Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Manager
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